Khaberni - Two new studies have linked gum disease and decay with an increased risk of stroke, and researchers found that deterioration in oral health also causes brain damage.
According to "Health Day", both gum disease and tooth decay increased the risk of stroke by 86%.
Whereas brushing teeth with toothpaste and floss and regular dentist visits reduced the risk of stroke by up to 81%.
Brain Changes
In the first study, adults with gum disease were more likely to have white matter changes in their brains.
Dr. Souvik Sen, Professor of Neurology at the University of South Carolina and author of the study, said: "Gum disease is associated with an increased likelihood of inflammation, which has been linked to atherosclerosis and small vascular sclerosis, as we saw in this study".
In the second study, Sen's team found that those with gum disease and tooth decay had an 86% higher risk of stroke compared to those with healthy teeth and gums.
Doubling the Risk of Stroke
Sen explained: "If you suffer from tooth decay in addition to gum disease, then the problem is doubled. This means that your risk of stroke or any other cardiovascular complications is doubled."
But the good news: Regular oral care can make a big difference, as it was shown that participants who maintained healthy oral habits, such as brushing with toothpaste and floss daily, along with routine dentist visits, had their risk of stroke reduced by 81%.
According to the World Health Organization, 3.5 billion people worldwide suffer from gum disease or tooth decay.
