MEDIUMResearchTier 2
1 in 13 adults under 30 already had hidden artery plaque
SourceScienceDaily DentistryTier 2Peer-Reviewed Research
Originally at sciencedaily.com
Summary & scoring by The Bell Brief (Dr. Jennifer Bell) using the Drill-Down Protocol (Drill-Down Score) — not the original publisher.
Why it matters for dental
Dental providers who perform routine head-and-neck imaging or medical histories may be the first to notice early arterial plaque in patients under 30, shifting caries-focused visits into broader cardiovascular screening opportunities.
Key points
- Study of 16,000 apparently healthy adults found >50 % had detectable atherosclerosis; prevalence in 18-29 age band was 1 in 13.
- Arterial plaques were identified years to decades before symptoms, raising the value of incidental carotid or aortic-arch findings on panoramic or CBCT radiographs.
- Researchers advocate direct arterial imaging for early risk stratification—information dentists can relay to primary-care or cardiology colleagues.
- Young adults already carrying plaque may require earlier medical referral, altering the dentist’s role in inter-professional care pathways.
Who should care
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Read the original on ScienceDaily Dentistry
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