Reducing Your Risk of Stroke Could Start with Improving Your Oral Health

When you take care of your teeth and gums, you also reduce stroke risk or the development of certain conditions, such as heart disease, cancer, or lung infections. Therefore, making your oral health a priority can do a lot to improve your smile as well as your health overall.

Why Your Risk of a Stroke Increases when You Don’t Regularly Brush and Floss

According to a report on the website, WebMD, gum disease can be linked to the risk of stroke. One study author, Dr. Souvik Sen, chair of neurology, who works at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, stated that “the higher the level of gum disease, the worse the risk [of getting a stroke].” Moreover, even when risk factors were adjusted according to race, age, and a variety of health factors, the stroke risk was still was greater among people who also had gum disease.

The Types of Strokes that Most Frequently Occur from Gum Disease

The link between gum disease and stroke happens most often when the strokes are thrombotic, or when a clot forms in the brain’s artery, or when the stroke is cardioembolic, which happens when a blood clot moves from the heart to the brain. As a result, researchers strongly recommend, based on the recent evidence, that people need to take action to prevent gum disease, especially as they age. When you take care of your periodontal health, you can avoid other health repercussions as well.

If you currently need to have gum disease treated or want to set an appointment for a periodontal screening, give us a call. The more proactive you are about taking care of your teeth and gums, the better off you will be from an overall health standpoint. Call us to book an appointment now. If you want to feel better about your oral health and reduce any concerns about other health issues, you need to contact us for a consultation.