How good is your oral health routine?
It’s a question you need to ask yourself if you want to slash your stroke risk, while at the same time preventing damage to the small blood vessels in your brain.
That’s the message from two studies from the South Carolina School of Medicine, where scientists are adding to the growing body of evidence demonstrating that good oral health is the key to maintaining good brain health throughout life.
Here are the details…
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From gum disease to blood clots
In the first study, researchers followed nearly 6,000 adults for over two decades, monitoring the impact of gum disease and cavities on the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Overall, they determined that poor oral health is linked to significantly higher risk of stroke as a result of blood clotting (which blocks blood flow to the brain).
The study showed that just over four percent of people without gum disease would suffer a stroke. But…
- In people with gum disease, that number almost doubled to seven percent — equaling a 44% increase in stroke risk.
- Even worse, for those with both gum disease and cavities, 10% were likely to have a stroke — equating to an 86% higher risk level.
“The other very interesting finding from this study,” said Dr. Souvik Sen, a neurologist and author of both studies, “is if one went to the dentist regularly for preventative care, their risk of having gum disease and cavities was 81 percent lower.”
In other words, regular dental care could save your teeth — and your life.
Additionally, the team confirmed what some previous studies have found, that poor oral health can also contribute to heart problems. The study showed that people with gum disease had a 36 percent higher risk of heart attacks and heart disease, such as heart failure, compared to those with healthy mouths.
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Inflammation from the mouth fuels stroke risk
For the second study, the researchers focused on the key link between the mouth, the brain and stroke…
Approximately 1,000 older adults underwent dental exams, and 15 years later, they underwent brain MRI scans. Those with gum disease in midlife were 56% more likely to show high levels of white matter hyperintensities, which are indicative of microscopic brain damage.
“There’s a strong link between oral health and small vessel disease in the brain,” Sen said, pointing to his other study that looked directly at the brain.
“The brain has a vast network of blood supply. The major arteries branch into smaller vessels that feed brain pathways, and if those are damaged, subtle changes can occur long before symptoms of stroke or dementia appear.
“Inflammation [from the mouth] is what directly affects those small blood vessels and causes small damages in the white matter pathways.”
It starts like this…
Bacteria from diseased gums enter the bloodstream, and the immune system responds by releasing inflammatory molecules that can harm the delicate endothelial lining of blood vessels. Over time, plaque builds up, and blood clots and stroke become more likely.
In the brain, that same inflammation can damage small vessels and reduce oxygen flow. This contributes to the white matter lesions seen years later on MRI scans.
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A clean mouth lowers stroke risk
According to the researchers, “These findings suggest that an important part of stroke prevention (and brain health) is the need for regular dental care — brushing, flossing, as well as going to the dentist or dental care provider on a regular basis.”
Beyond adopting a good oral health routine, here are some additional steps that you can use to boost the health of your mouth.
Additionally, I recommend:
The results are clear…
Good oral health isn’t just about having a pearly-white smile. It’s about preserving the health of your blood vessels and brain and guarding against stroke.
So take steps now to keep your mouth healthy. Your brain and your heart will thank you.
Sources:
Gum Disease Linked to Nearly Doubled Stroke Risk in Major Study – EPOCH HEALTH
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