A study has found that people living with gum disease are almost twice as likely to have a stroke.¹

Researchers recently discovered and announced that when the gums bleed and become inflamed or infected, it can change how blood and oxygen flows to the brain.     

Gum disease (Periodontal Disease) remains one of the most common health problems across the United States and the UK, it currently affects around 45% of the adult population.²

So, what can you do? Everyone is encouraged to pay close attention to their oral health and their brushing habits.  A good oral health routine such as regular brushing, flossing and visiting your dentist twice a year can reduce your risk of developing gum disease and other health complications.

Periodontal disease is incredibly common and most people will experience it during the course of their lifetime.  Gum disease is the one of the main causes of early tooth loss in adults and is being linked to other general health conditions like heart disease, diabetes and even some forms of dementia. 

The root cause of gum disease is plaque and tartar which form on the surface of the teeth every day.  The best news is that plaque and tartar buildup can be managed with a simple daily routine of brushing and flossing. You need to make sure you brush to help remove the plaque from your teeth daily.  By brushing twice a day with – preferably an electric toothbrush – and a fluoride toothpaste and cleaning in between the teeth with floss.

This new study, also examined more than 2,000 prior studies about periodontal disease and the results support these previous studies that have also linked a heightened stroke risk with gum disease.

Interestingly, during the Christmas and holiday season there is an elevated risk of strokes and heart disease issues which makes this linkage even more concerning when you are surrounded by the stressors of finances, family and friends. ³

Gum and periodontal disease becomes more likely to occur as you get older and its severity also gets worse with increased age.

People who smoke, use smokeless tobacco or vape also experience worse levels of gum disease than those who do not use these products.

The first signs of periodontal and gum disease is when your gums start to bleed. You might see blood on your toothbrush or in the toothpaste you spit out into the sink after brushing your teeth. It can also happen when you are eating, leaving a bad, acidic blood taste in your mouth. 

If you do notice that you have bleeding gums, the first thing you should do is visit your dental office for a complete check-up of your teeth, gums and mouth.

They will measure the ‘pockets’ around each tooth and might provide an x-ray to check if any bone has been lost.  This check-up is very important, so the dental office can get a baseline and then the correct dental treatment can be prescribed for you.

References

1. Fagundes NCF et al. (2019) ‘Periodontitis As A Risk Factor For Stroke: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis’, Vascular Health and Risk Management (August 2019), available at https://doi.org/10.2147/VHRM.S204097.
2. British Society of Periodontology (2019) ‘Gum health resources for patients’, online at https://www.bsperio.org.uk/patients/ (accessed November 2019).
3. Heart and Stroke, ‘Don’t fall victim to the holiday heart attack’, available at https://www.heartandstroke.ca/articles/dont-fall-victim-to-the-holiday-heart-attack (accessed November 2019).