How oral health may affect your heart, brain and risk of death

By Thor Christensen, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ News

FatCamera/E+, Getty Images
(FatCamera/E+, Getty Images)

Dental cavities could significantly increase the risk of a life-threatening stroke from bleeding in the brain, according to new research.

Past studies have shown a link between gum infection and stroke, but few studies have looked into what role dental cavities might play. In the new study, researchers looked specifically at cavities and intracerebral stroke, which occur when an artery in the brain bursts and floods surrounding tissue with blood.

Researchers looked at data from 6,506 people without stroke, and then followed them for 30 years. For the first 15 years, those who developed cavities had a slightly higher risk for stroke from brain bleed, but their risk shot up dramatically in the next 15 years.

In the second half of the study period, people with cavities had 4.5 times higher risk of a stroke from brain bleed than those without cavities, after adjusting for age, gender, race and high blood pressure.

Dr. Souvik Sen, co-author of the study, said it was one of the first times cavities and intracerebral stroke had been studied in people. While brain bleeds, also called as intracerebral hemorrhages, account for only 10% to 20% of all strokes, they're more deadly than the more common ischemic strokes, which occur when blood flow through an artery is blocked.

While doctors can manage the risk for ischemic stroke in several ways, options are limited for brain bleeds, he said.

"This study throws more light on how we can address and prevent this more devastating form of stroke," said Sen, professor and chair of the department of neurology at University of South Carolina School of Medicine.

South Carolina medical student Elizabeth LaValley presented the this week at the American Stroke Association's virtual International Stroke Conference. It was one of two studies Sen and his colleagues offered for the conference on the topic of oral disease and stroke. The second study showed gum disease is associated with damage to the brain's tiny blood vessels. Study findings are considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Sen said gum disease can be caused by 20 to 30 different types of bacteria, but cavities are predominantly caused by one: Streptococcus mutans, which has been shown in animal studies to be linked with brain bleeds.

While Streptococcus mutans was the most likely "culprit" in the study's results, Sen said, a limitation of the research is that it didn't pinpoint the type of bacteria responsible for the dental cavities. He's currently researching that question in another study, and he'd like to see future work done on whether antibiotics or other treatments for dental cavities that may lower the risk of intracerebral stroke.

Today, the only real preventive strategy for cavities is to seek dental care regularly, Sen said. "Maybe we need to start thinking about how we can treat people with Streptococcus mutans aggressively in the early stages."

Dr. Robert P. Friedland, who has researched the link between oral bacteria and stroke, said the new study underscores the need for medical professionals to take the topic seriously.

"I've been disturbed that many stroke doctors don't counsel patients about it. It's just not something in their toolbox," said Friedland, the Mason C. and Mary D. Rudd Endowed Chair and a professor of neurology at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. He was not involved in the current research.

"I discuss it with every patient I see, regardless of what they're seeing me for," he said. "I tell them 'Take care of your teeth: It's important for the health of your teeth, but more so, it's good for the health of your brain and your heart.'"

If you have questions or comments about this story, please email [email protected].


ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ News Stories

ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ News covers heart disease, stroke and related health issues. Not all views expressed in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ News stories reflect the official position of the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½. Statements, conclusions, accuracy and reliability of studies published in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ scientific journals or presented at ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½â€™s official guidance, policies or positions.

Copyright is owned or held by the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½., and all rights are reserved. Permission is granted, at no cost and without need for further request, for individuals, media outlets, and non-commercial education and awareness efforts to link to, quote, excerpt from or reprint these stories in any medium as long as no text is altered and proper attribution is made to ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ News.

Other uses, including educational products or services sold for profit, must comply with the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½â€™s Copyright Permission Guidelines. See full terms of use. These stories may not be used to promote or endorse a commercial product or service.

HEALTH CARE DISCLAIMER: This site and its services do not constitute the practice of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific medical needs. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified health care professional immediately. If you are in the United States and experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or call for emergency medical help immediately.