The timing is critical. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 50% of children ages 6–8 have experienced cavities in their baby teeth, making tooth decay the most common chronic childhood disease in the United States. Children in Black and underserved communities are disproportionately affected by untreated dental decay, increasing risks for pain, infection, missed school days, and long-term systemic health complications.
“I was floored,” she shares. “I didn’t realize how closely oral health and heart health were connected. That experience reinforced for me that prevention must start in childhood — because what we ignore early can become life-threatening later.”
Medical research continues to demonstrate associations between periodontal disease and increased risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes complications, and systemic inflammation. Oral bacteria from untreated infections can enter the bloodstream, contributing to broader health conditions.
