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Hi, I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV... making news this week ... toothbrushing and heart health ... the right amount of pregnancy weight gain ... and the effects of nicotine addiction. Hi, I'm Dr. Cindy Haines, host of HealthDay TV.
First up: Poor oral hygiene can lead to gum disease, which can lead to inflammation in your body that can then contribute to heart problems. In a recent study, Scottish participants who reported how often they brushed their teeth were followed for about eight years. Those who brushed their teeth less than once a day had a 70-percent higher risk of cardiovascular problems than those who brushed twice daily. The American Dental Association recommends brushing twice each day and cleaning between the teeth daily with floss or other approved devices.
Next up: A woman's weight gain during pregnancy may affect her child's cardiovascular health years later. In a recent study in the journal Circulation, researchers found that women who gained too much weight when pregnant were more likely to have kids with heart-related risk factors at the age of 9. These included larger waist circumference and higher blood pressure. Also, kids born to women who weighed more before they became pregnant also tended to have more body fat and heart-related risk factors.
