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The number of people with poor dental hygiene is increasing risk of strokeA new study warns.
Research, published in Neurology, Note that people who suffer from both cavities and gingivitis are 86 percent more likely to experience a stroke.
They are more likely to face ischemic strokeWhich is characterized by the cessation of blood flow to the brain due to the formation of a clot inside the blood vessels. Ischemic stroke, which accounts for the majority of cases worldwide, disrupts oxygen delivery to the brain, resulting in permanent neurological deficits or death.
While traditional risk factors for stroke such as hypertension and diabetes are widely investigated, oral health remains underestimated.
The new study assesses two dental conditions – cavities and periodontal disease. The former develops as acid-secreting bacteria destroy tooth enamel while the latter is a chronic inflammatory condition that destroys the gums, provoked by bacterial plaque biofilms.
The study, led by researchers at the University of South Carolina, is based on a comprehensive analysis of nearly 6,000 middle-aged adults who were initially free of stroke.
The researchers divided the participants into three categories after performing dental tests – those with healthy oral conditions, those with gum disease, and those affected by both periodontal disease and dental cavities.
They then conducted follow-up assessments and medical record audits of all study participants to track the incidence of stroke and other cardiovascular events.
They found that the frequency of stroke was about 4 percent among individuals with good oral health, 7 percent among those with gum disease alone, and 10 percent when dental caries was present along with gum disease.
Further calculations concluded that an 86 percent increased stroke risk was associated with combined dental morbidity, while gum disease separately was associated with a 44 percent increased risk.
“Co-occurring periodontal disease and dental caries were independently associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke,” the researchers reported. “Regular dental care can reduce this risk by improving oral health.”
The researchers also noted that people who regularly received professional dental care were 81 percent less likely to have both gum disease and cavities.
Researchers suspect that the movement of oral bacteria and their toxins into the circulating blood may be responsible for initiating these stroke events by inducing a state of chronic inflammation in the body.
However, they caution that some unexpected factors, such as socioeconomic status, access to health care, diet, and genetic factors may also influence the results.
In any case, the study calls for ensuring that doctors and patients are better aware of the effects of dental neglect.