Poor oral health can increase the risk of stroke

Every year, over 13 million people worldwide die from stroke. However, many of these incidents could be prevented through relatively simple means, such as a healthier diet, more exercise, or improved oral health.

As many as 25 per cent of the world's population will have a stroke at some point in their lives. While far from all of them are fatal, they can have far-reaching consequences for the individual.

Research shows that up to 90 per cent of strokes are preventable through lifestyle changes. These changes could involve eating better, exercising more or quitting smoking, which most of us are probably familiar with.

But there is a factor that has been shown to play a significant role in stroke patients - and which is perhaps a little more unknown.

- In our study, we found dental bacteria in the blood of four out of five stroke patients. These are bacteria that are naturally present in the mouth. Still, when they get into the bloodstream, they can lead to serious problems, says Olli Patrakka, a researcher at the University of Tampere, Finland.

Previous research has shown that there is a clear link between poor oral health and cardiovascular disease. For example, people who have periodontitis are 28 per cent more likely to have a heart attack. Now, we may be on to something similar when it comes to brain health and stroke.

- Although more studies are needed to establish causality, we now clearly see that dental bacteria also play a significant role in stroke patients. It may have a crucial role in prevention and treatment, says Olli Patrakka.

Stroke is common even in women

Generally speaking, stroke is usually described as something that mainly affects men. But this image is not entirely true. Sixty per cent of people who die from stroke are women, and in the age group 55 to 75, one in five women will have a stroke at some point.

However, because strokes are mainly thought to affect men, many women miss the symptoms, which can lead to seeking care later. Factors that increase the risk of having a stroke include high blood pressure, high blood lipids, smoking and diabetes. However, taking care of your oral health has also been shown to be essential for those who want to prevent stroke.

- The dangerous bacteria in our mouths usually stay there and initially cause 'only' tooth decay. But for those who have periodontal disease, the risk is that these bacteria can travel through the gums and into the bloodstream, says Tommi Pätilä, heart surgeon and founder of Koite Health.

Complementary treatment

The most important measure needed to prevent periodontal disease is regular cleaning of the teeth and the spaces between them. Brushing twice a day and using a floss or interdental brush daily flossing or interdental brushing is a good starting point.

However, mechanical brushing only removes about 65% of the bacteria found on teeth surfaces. A complementary treatment, such as Lumoral, is, thus, recommended for those who want to prevent tooth loss and other serious oral diseases.

Lumoral is a light-activated treatment that utilises a combination of two types of light to remove 99.99 per cent of the bacteria in dental plaque. It is easy to use and also makes it harder for new plaque to stick to teeth.

- Treatments of this type used to be performed only in clinics, but Lumoral has been developed for use at home. It is very effective, and many of my patients with a lot of tartar and inflammation of the gums have felt an incredible improvement after a few weeks of use, says Ing-Marie Albinsson, a dental hygienist at the Lilla Tandkronan clinic in Arvika, Sweden.