Flossing as infrequently as once a week may lower the risk of stroke, according to a new preliminary study. Experts agree that regular flossing is essential for maintaining good oral hygiene and preventing inflammation in the body, which can harm the heart.
Strokes affect over 795,000 people annually in the US, often caused by blood clots or brain bleeds. Flossing helps prevent bacteria buildup between teeth, reducing inflammation in blood vessels that can trigger blood clots. The study found a significant association between flossing and reduced risk of strokes, with participants who flossed more frequently showing greater reductions.
Researchers linked flossing to lower risks of AFib (irregular heart rhythm), ischemic stroke (blood clot prevents brain flow), and cardioembolic stroke (clot originates in the heart). While infrequent flossing showed a lower risk of stroke, the study suggests that more frequent flossing may further reduce this risk.
Flossing helps prevent bacteria buildup between teeth, which can enter the brain or bloodstream, causing inflammation. Gum disease linked to poor cardiovascular health is also associated with increased stroke risk. The findings suggest flossing as an additional tool for preventing blood clots and strokes.
However, the study’s limitations include a lack of peer-reviewed publication and follow-up data on oral hygiene behaviors. More research is needed to confirm these findings.
Source: https://www.health.com/flossing-as-little-as-once-a-week-may-protect-against-stroke-8781732