Cleaning your teeth will help improve your oral health, as well as protect your heart. In fact, a recent study in Taiwan concluded that people who visit the dentist regularly for a professional cleaning are 24 percent less likely to have a heart attack, and 13 percent less likely to have a stroke. In honor of National Stroke Awareness Month, and Dr. Stephen Burds would like to discuss how keeping your teeth clean can prevent your risk of stroke.

Stroke Risk

In patients with a history of heart attacks or strokes, the same bacteria that cause gum disease are also found clumped in artery plaques. When bacteria inflame and infect your gum tissue, your gums become weak and create an opening for harmful bacteria to enter your bloodstream. Oral bacteria can damage your blood vessels and arteries. As these bacteria travel through your body, they can infect other areas of your body. Swelling is your body’s natural response to infection, so as your blood cells swell, your passageways narrow—causing blood clots. Additionally, bacteria can stick to fatty plaques in your bloodstream and directly contribute to blockages. Some studies also link chronic inflammation to hardening of the arteries, which leads to strokes.