A comprehensive French review of multiple studies has revealed that people with periodontitis face a 22 per cent higher risk of stroke, highlighting a significant link between oral health and cardiovascular events.
The research team analysed 11 meta-analyses from various geographical regions, with seven demonstrating high methodological quality.
Their findings, recently published in Medscape, showed that whilst periodontitis significantly increased stroke risk, tooth loss showed only a positive but non-significant trend.
The risk more than doubled in some cases, with odds ratio reaching 2.32.
The findings highlight a significant link between oral health and cardiovascular events
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The study also examined gingivitis, finding no significant association with increased stroke risk.
This systematic approach to analysing existing research helps clarify previously inconsistent findings regarding the relationship between periodontal disease and stroke risk.
Europe faces the highest prevalence of oral diseases globally, with 50.1 per cent of adults affected by conditions including dental caries, tooth loss and periodontal disease as of 2019, according to the World Health Organization.
Dental caries in permanent teeth emerged as the most common condition, affecting 33.6 per cent of individuals.
NHS Inform cautions: "Most adults in the UK have gum disease to some degree and most people experience it at least once."
"It's much less common in children," it adds. "It's one of the main reasons that adults lose teeth, but it is preventable."
Periodontal disease has shown an upward trend, reaching 17.9 per cent prevalence among those aged 15 or older in 2019, with higher rates in high-income countries.
The high vascularisation of the oral cavity, connected to the external carotid artery, plays a crucial role in how periodontitis increases stroke risk.
Inflammation and poor oral health enable bacteria to enter the systemic circulation.
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Stroke is related to several health conditions
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This process, combined with inflammatory mediators including tumour necrosis factor and interleukins, contributes to atherogenesis.
Periodontal inflammation can also activate platelets, promoting the formation and stabilisation of atheroma.
The connection between oral health and stroke adds to an already established list of related health conditions.
These include endocarditis, myocardial infarction, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, underlining the far-reaching implications of dental health.
