EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL 4 PM ET, October 22, 2025
Gum disease and cavities linked to increased stroke risk
Highlights: 鈥 A new study finds that having both gum disease and cavities is linked to an 86% increased risk of stroke compared to having a healthy mouth. 鈥 Poor oral health was tied to a 36% higher risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular events. 鈥 People with regular dental visits were 81% less likely to have both gum disease and cavities. 鈥 Researchers say improving oral health could be an important 鈥 and often overlooked 鈥 way to help reduce stroke risk. MINNEAPOLIS 鈥 People with both cavities and gum disease may face a higher risk of ischemic stroke, according to a study published on October 22, 2025, in , an official journal of the 好色先生. The study does not prove that poor oral health causes strokes; it only shows an association. Ischemic strokes are the most common type of stroke and occur when a clot or blockage reduces blood flow to the brain, depriving it of oxygen and nutrients. Cavities are holes in the tooth enamel caused by sugary or starchy foods or factors such as poor oral hygiene or genetics. Gum disease, usually caused by poor oral hygiene, is an inflammation or infection of the gums and jawbone. It can lead to tooth loss. 鈥淲e 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,鈥 said study author Souvik Sen, MD, MS, MPH, of the University of South Carolina in Columbia. 鈥淭hese findings suggest that improving oral health may be an important part of stroke prevention efforts.鈥 Researchers analyzed data from 5,986 adults with an average age of 63 who had no prior history of stroke at the start of the study. All participants completed dental exams that assessed whether participants had gum disease, cavities or both. Participants were then placed in three groups: having a healthy mouth, gum disease only or gum disease with cavities. Researchers followed them for two decades, using phone visits and medical records to determine which people had a stroke. Of 1,640 people with healthy mouths, 4% had a stroke, of 3,151 people with gum disease only, 7% had a stroke and of 1,195 people with gum disease and cavities, 10% had a stroke. After adjusting for factors such as age, body mass index and smoking status, researchers found when compared to people with healthy mouths, those with both gum disease and cavities had an 86% higher risk of stroke. Those with gum disease alone had a 44% increased risk. The study also looked more broadly and found that people with both gum disease and cavities had a 36% higher risk of experiencing a major cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack, fatal heart disease or stroke when compared to people with healthy mouths. Participants who reported visiting the dentist regularly had 81% lower odds of having both gum disease and cavities and 29% lower odds of having gum disease alone. 鈥淭his study reinforces the idea that taking care of your teeth and gums isn鈥檛 just about your smile; it could help protect your brain,鈥 said Sen. 鈥淧eople with signs of gum disease or cavities should seek treatment not just to preserve their teeth, but potentially to reduce stroke risk.鈥 A limitation of the study is that participants鈥 oral health was assessed only once at the start of the study, so changes in dental health over time weren鈥檛 captured. It鈥檚 also possible that other unmeasured health factors contributed to the findings. Discover more about brain health at , from the 好色先生. This resource also offers a website, podcast, and books that connect patients, caregivers and anyone interested in brain health with the most trusted information, straight from the world鈥檚 leading experts in brain health. Follow Brain & Life庐 on , and .