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Brushing Teeth Reduces Stroke Risk
New research shows that preventing gum disease might help reduce your risk of stroke and heart attack. Brushing may do more than keep cavities away. Research shows a healthy mouth might reduce risk for stroke and heart disease. Columbia University infectious disease researcher Mose Desvarieux, who led the study, and neurologist Ralph Sacco reported in the Journal Circulation that thickening of an artery called the carotid, at work in stroke and heart attack, is associated with high levels of oral bacteria found in gum disease.
The team spent five years studying 657 people over age 55 of mixed race and income, all with no stroke history. They screened patients for diabetes, hypertension, and smoking and sampled eleven types of oral bacteria, four thought to cause gum disease and seven that don't. Then, they took ultrasounds to screen for thickening of the carotid artery.
When there is a blockage present that's more than 70 percent in the carotid artery you can have a significant reduction in blood flow to the brain; when blood flow is reduced to the brain you can have a stroke. Researchers emphasize the link doesn't prove these bacteria lead to hardening of the arteries. They plan more research including following the study patients.
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