A new study published by the American Academy of Neurology suggests that having both gum disease and cavities may nearly double a person’s risk of ischemic stroke compared with having a healthy mouth.
The study found that participants who had both conditions were 86 per cent more likely to experience a stroke compared to those with healthy mouths. Ischemic strokes, the most common type, occur when a clot or blockage reduces blood flow to the brain, depriving it of oxygen and nutrients.
“We found that people with both cavities and gum disease had almost twice the risk of stroke when compared to people with good oral health, even after controlling for cardiovascular risk factors,” said study author Dr. Souvik Sen, professor of neurology at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. “These findings suggest that improving oral health may be an important part of stroke prevention efforts.”
Analyzed: 5,986 adults, 63 average age
The researchers analyzed data from 5,986 adults with an average age of 63 who had no previous history of stroke. Each participant underwent a dental exam to assess the presence of gum disease, cavities, or both, and was then placed into one of three groups: healthy mouth, gum disease only, or gum disease with cavities.
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Over two decades of follow-up using medical records and phone interviews, the study found that:
- 4 per cent of participants with healthy mouths had a stroke.
- 7 per cent of those with gum disease only had a stroke.
- 10 per cent of those with both gum disease and cavities had a stroke.
After accounting for factors such as age, body mass index and smoking, the combined gum-disease-and-cavity group still showed an 86 per cent higher risk of stroke, while gum disease alone was linked to a 44 per cent higher risk.
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Dental visits really pay off
Beyond stroke, poor oral health was tied to a 36 per cent higher risk of heart attack or other major cardiovascular events. The study also found that people who visited the dentist regularly were 81 per cent less likely to have both gum disease and cavities and 29 per cent less likely to have gum disease alone.
“People with signs of gum disease or cavities should seek treatment not just to preserve their teeth, but potentially to reduce stroke risk,” Sen added. “Taking care of your teeth and gums isn’t just about your smile — it could help protect your brain.”
Researchers noted that the study does not prove cause and effect, only an association. They also acknowledged a limitation: oral health was assessed only once at baseline, so changes over time were not measured. Other unmeasured factors may also have influenced the results.