People with both cavities and gum disease had an 86% higher risk of ischemic stroke than those with healthy mouths, according to research published October 22, 2025, in Neurology Open Access. The two-decade study of 5,986 adults linked poor oral health to higher rates of major cardiovascular events, while emphasizing the findings show association, not causation.
A long-term study published in Neurology Open Access, an official journal of the American Academy of Neurology, reports that adults with both dental caries and periodontal disease faced an 86% higher risk of ischemic stroke than peers with healthy oral exams. The paper was published October 22, 2025. (aan.com)
Ischemic strokes, the most common type, occur when a clot blocks blood flow to the brain. The study also describes cavities as enamel loss driven by bacterial acids and gum disease as chronic inflammation or infection of the gums and supporting bone that can lead to tooth loss. (aan.com)
Researchers analyzed 5,986 adults (average age 63) who had no prior strokes at baseline. After dental exams, participants were grouped as having a healthy mouth, gum disease only, or both gum disease and cavities, and were followed for about 20 years through phone interviews and medical records. (aan.com)
Stroke incidence differed by oral health: 4% among those with healthy mouths, 7% among those with gum disease alone, and 10% among those with both gum disease and cavities. After adjusting for age, body mass index, smoking, and other factors, gum disease plus cavities was linked to an 86% higher stroke risk; gum disease alone to a 44% increase. Poor oral health was also associated with a 36% higher risk of major cardiovascular events, including heart attack and fatal heart disease. (aan.com)
Regular dental care was associated with healthier mouths in this cohort: participants who reported routine dental visits had 81% lower odds of having both conditions and 29% lower odds of gum disease alone. The study did not test whether dental care itself prevents strokes. (aan.com)
“We found that people with both cavities and gum disease had almost twice the risk of stroke when compared to people with good oral health, even after controlling for cardiovascular risk factors,” said study author Souvik Sen, MD, MS, MPH, of the University of South Carolina in Columbia. He added, “These findings suggest that improving oral health may be an important part of stroke prevention efforts.” (aan.com)
“This study reinforces the idea that taking care of your teeth and gums isn’t just about your smile; it could help protect your brain,” Sen said. (sciencedaily.com)
The authors noted key limitations: oral health was measured only once at the start, so changes over time were not captured, and the observational design cannot establish cause and effect. (aan.com)