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Good dental health lowers stroke risk

Nearly half of the US population aged 30 years old and older have gum or periodontal disease. Periodontal disease occurs when dental plaque (bacterial biofilm) builds up around teeth and leads to gum inflammation and further tooth destruction. Inflammation associated with poor gum disease has been implicated in heart attacks and possibly strokes.

Researchers from Taiwan recently added to mounting evidence that poor dental health is a risk factor and possible contributor to strokes. In an early release of a study published in the journal Stroke, nearly 720,000 adults from Taiwan were followed between 2000 and 2010. This group was divided into those with and without periodontal (gum) disease. Those with periodontal disease were further divided into three subsets including those who (1) received no treatment, (2) received regular dental prophylaxis or cleaning or (3) received intensive treatment including surgical repair, tooth extraction, or root therapy.

Compared to those without gum disease, individuals with gum disease and dental prophylaxis had 22% fewer strokes and individuals with gum disease and intensive treatment had 5% fewer strokes. Compared to those without gum disease, individuals with gum disease and no treatment had 15% more strokes. Young people (20 to 44 years old) with gum disease and no treatment had more than a two-fold higher risk of developing a stroke compared to those without gum disease.

This study shows that gum disease increases the risk of developing a stroke especially when it is untreated. The contribution of gum disease to stroke risk is especially prominent in younger adults. The authors concluded that improved oral hygiene, regular checkups, and dental prophylaxis can decrease tissue inflammation and thereby reduce the chance of developing a stroke.

 

Source - healthnewsobserver.com