People who floss their teeth at least once a week are significantly less likely to suffer a stroke, a study suggests.
Poor oral health, particularly gum disease, is known to increase risk due to the inflammatory response triggered by bacteria entering the bloodstream.
US researchers questioned more than 6,000 people about their flossing habits and factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking and weight.
After a period of 25 years, 434 participants had suffered strokes.
People who flossed were 22% less likely to suffer an ischaemic stroke, where blood flow to part of the brain is blocked, analysis found.
And their risk of a cardioembolic stroke – where a blood clot travels from he heart to the brain – was 44% lower.
Flossers were also 12% less likely to suffer from an irregular heartbeat, and had fewer cavities and cases of periodontal disease.
The research was observational so could not prove that flossing cut stroke risk. But study leader Dr Souvik Sen, from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, said: “Oral health behaviours are linked to inflammation and artery hardening.
“Flossing may reduce stroke risk by lowering oral infections and inflammation and encouraging other healthy habits.
“Many people have expressed that dental care is costly. Flossing is a healthy habit that is easy to adopt, affordable and accessible everywhere.”
A recent study found oral diseases such as untreated tooth decay and gum disease affected 3.5 billion people in 2022, Dr Sen said.
He added: “We aimed to determine which oral hygiene behaviour – dental flossing, brushing or regular dentist visits – has the greatest impact on stroke prevention.”
The study is due to be presented next week at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference in Los Angeles.
