The 2022 Global Oral Health Status Report from the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that oral diseases, such as untreated tooth decay and gum disease, impact 3.5 billion people worldwide, making them the most prevalent health conditions. However, many are unaware that poor oral hygiene is not just about looks – it is linked to chronic inflammation and increases the risk of stroke and atrial fibrillation (AFib).
Fortunately, simple habits like regular flossing can help prevent the accumulation of harmful bacteria, significantly lowering the risk of other health issues. Recent studies have shown that oral health plays a crucial role in heart health.
Why Flossing is Essential for Heart Health?
A recent study presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Conference found that flossing at least once a week can reduce the risk of stroke and irregular heartbeats.
• Examining the connection between oral hygiene and stroke prevention – Dr. Souvik Sen, lead author of the study, aimed to determine which oral hygiene practices have the most impact on preventing strokes.
• Analyzing participants’ oral health habits – The study used data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, which followed over 6,000 individuals for 25 years. Participants’ flossing habits, brushing frequency, and dental visits were assessed, along with their risk of stroke and heart disease.
• Positive effects of flossing – Flossing helps prevent the growth of harmful bacteria that causes gum disease, which is a contributing factor to cardiovascular disease.
• Lowering stroke risk – Regular flossing was associated with a 22% lower risk of ischemic stroke and a 44% lower risk of cardioembolic stroke.
• Reducing AFib risk – Flossing was linked to a 12% lower chance of developing AFib.
This discovery is significant, especially considering projections that over 12 million Americans will develop AFib by 2030, according to the American Heart Association.
Flossing Reducing Stroke Risk by Preventing Oral Infections
Maintaining oral hygiene is crucial for reducing inflammation levels in the body, which can impact cardiovascular function.
• Decreasing harmful bacteria – Pathogenic organisms in the mouth can lead to gum infections, causing systemic inflammation and allowing harmful bacteria to enter the bloodstream, leading to artery damage and clot formation.
• Unique benefits of flossing – The link between flossing and lower stroke risk was independent of other oral hygiene habits, indicating that flossing offers unique protective benefits.
• Increasing frequency strengthens protection – Those who flossed more frequently had a greater reduction in stroke risk.
Flossing is a simple, affordable, and accessible way to lower stroke risk, unlike costly medical interventions. Dr. Souvik Sen emphasized the importance of adopting flossing as a healthy habit.
Regular Flossing Lowers Cardiovascular Mortality Risk
A review published in The Journal of the American Dental Association found that daily flossing was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events.
• Link between inflammation and oral health – The researchers measured participants’ C-reactive protein levels, a marker of systemic inflammation that increases with chronic infections and poor metabolic health.
• Daily flossing benefits – Daily flossers had a 29% lower risk of experiencing a cardiovascular event and a 36% lower risk of heart disease mortality.
• Consistent flossing has cumulative benefits – Each additional day of flossing per week led to a 6% reduction in cardiovascular disease mortality risk.
The study authors concluded that improving flossing habits can help prevent cardiovascular events.
Poor Oral Hygiene Increases Risk of Premature Death
In addition to cardiovascular disease, the study also found that poor flossing habits were linked to a higher overall mortality risk.
• Impact on longevity – Those who never flossed had a higher likelihood of dying during the follow-up period, even after adjusting for other factors.
This indicates that oral health habits may have an impact on broader systemic health issues beyond just heart disease.
– Gum inflammation contributes to increased inflammation levels. The main reason for this is that chronic gum inflammation from inadequate flossing raises the body’s overall inflammatory load, weakening immune function and leading to various chronic diseases.
– Certain periodontal bacteria have also been associated with diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and some cancers. Researchers concluded that interdental cleaning may have additional benefits beyond toothbrushing in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality.
An earlier study in Neurology found that poor dental health is linked to hippocampal atrophy, which is a marker for Alzheimer’s disease.
– Identifying the connection between dental and brain health, a study involving 172 people over 55 years old found that those with mild gum disease and fewer teeth had a faster shrinkage rate in the left hippocampus. However, among those with severe gum disease, having more teeth was associated with faster hippocampal shrinkage.
Study author Satoshi Yamaguchi stated that conditions like gum disease and tooth loss may play a role in brain health, emphasizing the importance of dental care.
Poor oral health has been suggested as a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, with periodontal pathogens possibly contributing to neural inflammation and Alzheimer’s disease.
To protect your oral health, it’s important to practice proper hygiene, oil pulling with coconut oil, eat a healthy diet, get enough sleep, and manage stress. These changes can not only benefit your teeth and gums but also reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, dementia, and premature death.
Flossing is crucial for heart health as it helps prevent gum disease, reducing chronic inflammation linked to stroke, AFib, and heart disease. Regular flossing can lower the risk of ischemic stroke and heart-related strokes.
Flossing can also lower the risk of AFib, prevent bacteria from entering the bloodstream, and reduce systemic inflammation that contributes to cardiovascular diseases.
Daily flossing has been shown to lower the risk of dying from heart disease and overall mortality compared to those who do not floss. Gum disease and poor oral health have also been linked to hippocampal shrinkage, a marker for Alzheimer’s disease. La inflamación crónica de las infecciones orales contribuye a la disminución cognitiva, la diabetes y otras enfermedades sistémicas. Mantener una buena higiene oral es crucial para la salud en general, no solo para el cuidado dental.