Dental Caries and Periodontal Disease Increase Ischemic Stroke Risk, Study Shows
A 2025 study published in Neurology® revealed that individuals suffering from both gum disease and dental cavities have a substantially higher long-term risk of ischemic stroke and major cardiovascular events compared to those with healthy oral hygiene.
Study Overview: DARIC
The prospective Dental Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (DARIC) study investigated the independent association of periodontal disease (PD) and dental caries with ischemic stroke and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in US populations.
The study found "poor oral health was linked to these elevated risks, with particularly strong associations observed for increased risks of thrombotic and cardioembolic stroke subtypes."
Study Design and Findings
- Data were collected from participants originally enrolled in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study who had dental exams between 1996 and 1998.
- Participants (n = 5,986; mean age 63 ± 5.6 years; 52% female) were grouped as:
- Good oral health (n = 1,640)
- Periodontal disease only (n = 3,151)
- Periodontal disease with caries (n = 1,195)
- They were followed for approximately 21 years, with stroke incidents and MACEs tracked through phone interviews and medical records until 2019.
- Using Cox proportional hazard models, researchers adjusted for demographics and vascular risk factors to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for stroke outcomes.
Key Results
Both periodontal disease and dental caries were independently linked to increased risk of ischemic stroke and MACEs, emphasizing the importance of maintaining good oral health for long-term cardiovascular safety.
The study concluded that "co-occurring periodontal disease and dental caries were associated with higher risks of ischemic stroke and major cardiovascular events."
Author's summary: This study underscores the critical link between oral health and cardiovascular risk, showing that gum disease combined with dental cavities significantly raises the chances of ischemic stroke and major cardiac events over two decades.