Regularly flossing could slash your risk of a stroke, a promising new study has suggested.
Research has long shown that high levels bacteria linked to gum disease can raise the likelihood of the potentially fatal condition as well as diabetes and high blood pressure.
But US researchers have now discovered that people who stuck with the habit for 25 years were over a fifth less likely to suffer an ischemic stroke — the most common type, caused when an artery in the brain is blocked by a blood clot.
The scientists, who tracked over 6,000 Americans, also found flossing cut the risk of a cardioembolic stroke — caused when a blood vessel bursts — by a staggering 44 per cent over the same period.
Experts argued the findings highlight the importance of good oral hygiene — often considered brushing teeth twice a day, flossing and regularly visiting the dentist.
Surveys have shown, however, that as few as just three in ten Brits floss daily.
Dr Souvik Sen, an expert in neurology at the University of South Carolina and study lead author, said: ‘I wouldn’t say dental flossing is the only thing you need to do to prevent a stroke, but our findings suggest it is one more thing to be added to a healthy lifestyle.
‘Dental flossing reduces oral infections and gum disease, which are linked to inflammation.
Research has long shown that high levels bacteria linked to gum disease can raise the likelihood of the condition as well as diabetes and high blood pressure
Stroke symptoms are commonly remembered under this four-letter acronym, FAST. Patients experiencing a stroke can often have their face drop on one side, struggle to lift both arms and have slurred speech, while time is essential, as immediate treatment for a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke can substantially slash the risk of a much deadlier major stroke
‘It would make sense that if people flossed regularly, it might also reduce the risk of strokes.’
Dr Karen Furie, chair of neurology at Brown University in Rhode Island — who wasn’t involved in the research — added it showed ‘good dental health also matters’.
She said: ‘That is an important message and something people don’t appreciate.
‘Many neglect their oral hygiene, and hopefully this calls attention to it being an important aspect of total good health.’
In the study, 6,278 volunteers were quizzed about their dental hygiene and habits.
Over a follow-up of 25 years, roughly 65 per cent of all volunteers reported flossing regularly.
In total, 434 had suffered a stroke — 147 thrombotic, 97 cardioembolic and 95, another sub-type.
The findings, presented at the American Stroke Association conference in Los Angeles, also showed 1,291 had been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.
Other – just as common – tell-tale signs of a looming stroke, often fall under the radar. These include sudden numbness on one side of the body, sudden vertigo and difficulty swallowing
This is a common condition which causes heart palpitations and can lead to strokes.
‘The individuals reporting dental flossing had a lower rate of incident ischemic stroke, cardioembolic stroke and atrial fibrillation,’ the researchers said.
Those who flossed regularly were 12 per cent less likely to be diagnosed with the atrial fibrillation.
The benefits of flossing in reducing the risk of having a stroke were independent of other dental behaviour such as brushing teeth, they added.
Separate research presented at the conference also found that a common type of bacteria behind tooth decay, was associated with an increased stroke risk.
Scientists at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Centre in Osaka, who assessed 189 stroke patients and 55 non-stroke patients, found streptococcus anginosus in the gut of recent stroke survivors in Japan.
Over a follow-up of two years, they discovered those with a significant amount of the bacteria in their gut were more likely to die or suffer another major cardiovascular event.
Dr Shuichi Tonomura, an expert in neurology at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center and study lead author said: ‘In the future, if there was a quick test to detect harmful bacteria in the mouth and gut, we could use the information to help calculate stroke risk.
Separate research presented at the conference also found that a common type of bacteria behind tooth decay, was associated with an increased stroke risk
‘Targeting these specific harmful oral bacteria may help prevent stroke.
‘Our findings offer new insights into the connection between oral bacteria and the risk of stroke, as well as potential strategies for stroke prevention.’
Strokes affect more than 100,000 Britons annually — one every five minutes — claiming 38,000 lives.
This makes it the UK’s fourth biggest killer and a leading cause of disability.
Almost 800,000 people in the US are struck down each year, causing 137,000 deaths.
The problem occurs when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, killing brain cells. The damage can lead to long-term disability and affect how people think and feel.
The most common cause is fatty deposits or a blood clot blocking arteries supplying the brain — known as ischaemic stroke.
This happens due to cardiovascular disease, when blood vessels become narrowed or blocked over time by plaques.
These are made of cholesterol, calcium and other substances that build up in the artery walls in a process known as atherosclerosis.
The other — called hemorrhagic strokes — occurs when a blood vessel bursts in the brain and starts to leak its contents into the organ.
It comes as a fresh MailOnline analysis of NHS data in December found strokes among men aged under 39 have jumped by nearly a quarter over the last two decades.
In comparison, life-threatening attacks in women of the same age have risen by just one per cent.
In 2004/05, men under 39 made up 52.8 per cent of cases, compared to 47.2 per cent for women of the same age.
By 2023/24, this gap had widened even further, with men representing nearly two thirds of all cases, while the share of women dropped to 42.3 per cent.
In November, health chiefs also warned of a worrying rise in stroke among the under 50s.
The number of people aged 50 to 59 who suffer the potentially fatal condition has risen by 55 per cent in the past 20 years, official data shows.
Experts said the ‘alarming’ trends showed that the condition was not just a risk for the elderly, with the rise being fuelled by obesity, stress, poor diet and sedentary lifestyles.
But survival rates have also improved, thanks to medical advances such as the rollout of clot-busting drugs and networks to send patients directly to specialist units.
