More than ensuring a beautiful smile, taking care of your teeth can also protect your heart and brain. A new investigation published in the magazine Neurology Open Access indicates that adults with gum disease are more likely to show signs of damage to the brain’s white matterwhen compared to people with healthy gums.
According to Souvik Sen, lead author of the study and professor of neurology, “gum disease is associated with higher levels of inflammation, and this inflammation can contribute to the hardening of blood vessels, as we observed in this work”. Chronic inflammation is one of the factors that can lead to atherosclerosis – the thickening of artery walls – increasing the risk of cardiovascular and neurological diseases.
Another study conducted by the same team and published in the same issue of the magazine revealed even more worrying information: People with gum disease and cavities have an 86% higher risk of having a stroke compared to those who maintain good oral health.
“The study showed that, when gum disease is accompanied by cavities, the risk doubles. It’s a problem that gets worse in cascades”, explained Sen, speaking to CBS.
The good news is that the risk can be significantly reduced with basic oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth, flossing and having regular dental cleanings can lower your risk of stroke by up to 81%, according to researchers.
Although the studies do not prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship — that is, it is not possible to say that poor oral health causes strokes — the results reinforce the link between oral health and cardiovascular health.
According to the World Health Organization, 3.5 billion people all over the world suffer from gum disease or tooth decay. For scientists, these numbers make it urgent to include oral health in global stroke prevention strategies.
“Preventing and treating gum disease can be as important as controlling blood pressure or cholesterol,” concluded Sen.