04/12/2025
A new umbrella study published in the journal Brain Sciences has brought renewed attention to the relationship between oral health and stroke. Researchers reviewed all available meta-analyses examining periodontitis, gingivitis, tooth loss, and their association with stroke risk.
The findings suggest that periodontal disease is significantly linked with an increased likelihood of stroke. This reinforces the emerging view that oral inflammation may influence neurological and vascular health far beyond the mouth.
Periodontitis drives chronic inflammation, enables oral bacteria to enter the bloodstream, and increases inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. These systemic mechanisms are known contributors to atherosclerosis, vascular injury, and clot formation.
Stroke remains a leading cause of death and long-term disability worldwide. If gum inflammation plays a role, even modestly, strengthening oral hygiene and periodontal care becomes an essential public health strategy—not only for dental protection, but for cardiovascular and brain health.
📄 Source:
PMCID: PMC11763556 PMID: 39851378