Britons have been warned about the perils of forgetting to brush their teeth after scientists found it could nearly double their chances of having a stroke.
New scientific findings have revealed that people with both cavities and gum disease face an 86 per cent higher risk of ischemic stroke compared to those with healthy mouths.
The study, published in Neurology Open Access, found that poor oral hygiene habits create the perfect conditions for these dangerous health outcomes.
The findings are concerning, given that more than 45 per cent of adults in the UK are affected by gum disease, according to the British Society of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry.
Ischemic strokes happen when blood flow to the brain is blocked, cutting off vital oxygen and nutrients.
While we all know about eating well and exercising to prevent strokes, this research suggests that taking care of your teeth might be just as crucial.
Scientists tracked nearly 6,000 adults with an average age of 63 who'd never had a stroke before. Everyone got dental exams to check for gum disease, cavities, or both.
The researchers then sorted participants into three groups: those with healthy mouths, those with just gum disease, and those with both gum disease and cavities.
More than 45 per cent of Britons are affected by gum disease
|GETTY
They followed everyone for two decades, using phone check-ins and medical records to see who ended up having strokes.
What makes this study particularly compelling is its long timeframe and large sample size.
The team also adjusted their findings for factors like age, weight, and whether people smoked, making the results more reliable.
The results revealed that among the 1,640 people with healthy mouths, just four per cent had strokes. But for the 3,151 people with gum disease, that jumped to seven per cent.
And for the 1,195 people dealing with both gum disease and cavities? A worrying 10 per cent suffered strokes.
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Those with both oral health problems faced a 36 per cent higher chance of major heart events, including heart attacks and fatal heart disease.
The research illustrates how oral health problems stack up.
Having gum disease alone increased stroke risk by 44 per cent, but adding cavities to the mix, that risk shoots up dramatically.
Good oral hygiene can protect the heart
| GETTYThankfully, regular dental visits can make a huge difference.
People who saw their dentist regularly had 81 per cent lower odds of developing both gum disease and cavities, and 29 per cent lower odds of having gum disease alone.
Study author Souvnik Sen from the University of South Carolina in Columbia said: "This study reinforces the idea that taking care of your teeth and gums isn't just about your smile; it could help protect your brain."
He added: "People with signs of gum disease or cavities should seek treatment not just to preserve their teeth, but potentially to reduce stroke risk."
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