Question: Hi doctor, when i was 4 years old i was abused by my nanny. She would hit me, pull my hair and shove a toothbrush down my mouth/throat to gag me (she was later fired and charges were pressed). As a result, i developed ptsd and had a major oral aversion where the sight of a toothbrush terrified me. As a result, I went so many years, 25+ of TERRIBLE oral hygiene. I would barely brush at all. It is embarrasing to say. I would visit tge dentist unwillinly (as my parents would book the appt) and even then I would be wrought with anxiety. Well here i am 34 years old and seeking therapy for this and I have now discovered after looking online that poor oral hygiene and gingivitis/periodontal disease has been linked to heart disease (artherosclerosis). I have been crying all day! I have a daughter and am terrified that I have shortened my lifespan and have probably already have arterial plaque bc of my lack of dental hygiene for so many years! My gums dobleed quite a bit as I have started to brush more regulaly now and they appear to be receding. In your opinion and based on your expertise hoe significant of a risk am I for heart disease due to the many many years of lack of oral hygiene?