Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery that links gum disease to an increased risk of stroke and brain damage. A study published in Neurology Open Access found that adults with gum disease are more likely to exhibit signs of white matter damage in the brain compared to those without gum disease.
According to Dr. Souvik Sen, lead author of the study, gum disease is associated with higher levels of inflammation, which has been linked to conditions such as atherosclerosis and hardening of small blood vessels. This is particularly concerning, as arteriosclerosis can cause abnormal thickening of artery walls, leading to increased risk of heart problems.
Furthermore, another study by Sen's team revealed that individuals who have both gum disease and cavities are at an alarming 86% higher risk of stroke compared to those with healthy mouths. In other words, having both gum disease and cavities doubles one's risk of suffering a stroke or experiencing an adverse heart event.
However, the researchers also found that maintaining good oral hygiene can significantly reduce this risk. Specifically, individuals who practiced regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits for preventative cleaning had a stroke risk reduced by as much as 81%. While these findings do not prove causation between gum disease and strokes, they add to growing evidence suggesting a significant link between oral health and cardiovascular well-being.
The World Health Organization reports that 3.5 billion people worldwide suffer from gum disease or cavities, highlighting the importance of prevention and treatment in stroke prevention. The American Heart Association notes that an astonishing 795,000 people experience strokes each year in the US alone. As researchers continue to explore the connection between oral health and cardiovascular disease, it is clear that taking care of one's mouth can have a profound impact on overall health and wellbeing.
According to Dr. Souvik Sen, lead author of the study, gum disease is associated with higher levels of inflammation, which has been linked to conditions such as atherosclerosis and hardening of small blood vessels. This is particularly concerning, as arteriosclerosis can cause abnormal thickening of artery walls, leading to increased risk of heart problems.
Furthermore, another study by Sen's team revealed that individuals who have both gum disease and cavities are at an alarming 86% higher risk of stroke compared to those with healthy mouths. In other words, having both gum disease and cavities doubles one's risk of suffering a stroke or experiencing an adverse heart event.
However, the researchers also found that maintaining good oral hygiene can significantly reduce this risk. Specifically, individuals who practiced regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits for preventative cleaning had a stroke risk reduced by as much as 81%. While these findings do not prove causation between gum disease and strokes, they add to growing evidence suggesting a significant link between oral health and cardiovascular well-being.
The World Health Organization reports that 3.5 billion people worldwide suffer from gum disease or cavities, highlighting the importance of prevention and treatment in stroke prevention. The American Heart Association notes that an astonishing 795,000 people experience strokes each year in the US alone. As researchers continue to explore the connection between oral health and cardiovascular disease, it is clear that taking care of one's mouth can have a profound impact on overall health and wellbeing.
this study is like totally blowing my mind! I had no idea that gum disease could be linked to strokes 
. I mean, I brush my teeth every morning and night, but I never thought it was doing so much more for my body than just keeping food from getting stuck 
. It's crazy to think that 3.5 billion people worldwide are affected by gum disease or cavities... like, what can we do to help? 
Maintain good oral hygiene is key, right? 
I'm definitely gonna start taking my oral health more seriously from now on. Has anyone else heard about this study? Should we be getting our teeth checked ASAP? 
. I'm going to make sure to share this with my friends and family, we need to spread awareness about oral health! 
and i was thinking about how some ppl don't take care of their teeth lol like how can u not floss every day? anyway, this gum disease thing is crazy! i had no idea that it could cause strokes 
i mean, i know smoking is bad for ur health but i never thought it was linked to oral hygiene too. what if i have gum disease and dont even know it?! gotta make sure i brush and floss like every day 
and the fact that regular oral hygiene can reduce the risk of stroke by 81% is like, super empowering 
to take care of my teeth and overall health. researchers are doing amazing work here, let's hope they keep uncovering these connections between our mouths and bodies 
. And did u know 3.5 billion ppl worldwide suffer from gum disease or cavities? 
. I was always told oral hygiene is important, but who knew it could literally save your life? 
.
. But the good news is that maintaining good oral hygiene can make a huge difference in reducing the risk of stroke 
. And with 3.5 billion people worldwide suffering from gum disease or cavities, it's clear we need to be more proactive about our oral health 
. Plus, think of all the money we could save on medical bills if we just took better care of our teeth 
and i'm like totally shocked 
but makes total sense lol 
inflammation is def a big deal 
3.5 bil ppl suffer from gum disease worldwide 
is def a win 
researchers keep exploring the link between oral health & cardiovascular wellness 
not causation. Can't say for sure, but it's also possible that people who are already at risk of heart problems are more likely to have gum disease in the first place 
.
. But seriously, the fact that 3.5 billion people worldwide are suffering from gum disease or cavities is wild 
Just don't expect me to start flossing every hour or anything 
. So yeah, I guess this study is kind of important 
. But can we also talk about how to actually implement these findings in real life? 
. I also want to make sure that everyone has access to quality dental care, especially those who can't afford it 
. Let's get proactive about our teeth and gums, and maybe one day we'll be able to prevent strokes and other cardiovascular issues 
that's crazy talk, right?! 
that's like, superpower stuff! 
. 3.5 billion people worldwide suffer from gum disease or cavities? that's insane