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Published on: December 31, 2017
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Childhood Oral Infections Associate with Adulthood Metabolic Syndrome: A Longitudinal Cohort Study
P J Pussinen1, S Paju1, J Viikari2
1Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Journal of Dental Research
|June 2, 2020
Summary
Childhood oral infections like cavities and fillings predict metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk in adulthood. Poor childhood oral health, including bleeding gums and plaque, is linked to adverse metabolic outcomes later in life.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Periodontology
- Metabolic Health
Background:
- Chronic oral infections are linked to metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adults.
- Longitudinal data on childhood oral health and adult MetS risk is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between childhood oral infection/inflammation indicators and adult MetS risk.
- To determine if early-life oral health predicts metabolic parameters in adulthood.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 755 children (aged 6-12) with oral examinations.
- Oral health assessed via bleeding on probing (BOP), pocket depth, caries, fillings, and plaque.
- Metabolic parameters and MetS diagnosed in adulthood (ages 27-43) over multiple follow-ups.
Main Results:
- Childhood caries and fillings were associated with higher adult MetS risk, increased systolic blood pressure, and larger waist circumference.
- Childhood bleeding on probing (BOP) and visible plaque correlated with higher plasma glucose levels.
- Severity of BOP, caries, and plaque presence in childhood predicted a greater number of MetS components in adulthood.
Conclusions:
- Childhood oral infection and inflammation are associated with an increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome and related adverse metabolic parameters in adulthood.
- Early oral health interventions may play a role in preventing adult metabolic diseases.
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