Our oral health can
affect the body in many different ways. One of those ways can include the
increased risk of stroke due to poor oral health. Heart and Stroke defines a
stroke as it "happens when blood stops flowing to any part of your brain, damaging brain cells. The effects of a stroke depend on the part of the brain that was damaged, and the amount of damage done." (Heart and Stroke, n.d.) Researchers have been examining the potential link of
periodontitis to risk of stroke. The American Heart Association held a
conference where researchers examined 265 patients that experienced a stroke
and found that “patients with gum disease were three times as likely to have a
stroke involving blood vessels in the back of the brain” (Sen, n.d.) Sen also
explains that the researchers took a look at patients with atherosclerosis
which is a disease resulting from buildup in arteries (NIH, n.d). Researchers
found that individuals with some level of periodontal disease had two times the
risk of experiencing narrowed brain arteries from buildup compared to those
with no history of periodontal disease (Sen, n.d) This finding shows that there
is a link to patients with atherosclerosis and risk of stroke. Sen published
another article within the Journal of Periodontology and states that “there are
no published results existing on if treating periodontal disease prevents the
outcome of a stroke.” (Sen & Mascari, 2020). This tells us that
taking care of your oral health is important to avoid increasing the risk of
stroke.
Reducing risk of
stroke:
According to Dr.
Marshall, developing good oral hygiene habits is not enough. He states that
patients must go for yearly check ups and see a dentist that measures
periodontal pockets by probing. (Marshall, 2015) Periodontal pocket measurement
can also be done by a dental hygienist. Having good oral hygiene habits and
having a regular schedule of seeing a dentist and dental hygienist can assist
not only your oral health, but your systemic health as well.
By Erin Tredenick
References
Heart and Stroke. (n.d.). Stroke.
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Retrieved March 15, 2022, from
https://www.heartandstroke.ca/stroke
NIH. (n.d.). Atherosclerosis.
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Retrieved March 15, 2022, from
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/atherosclerosis
Sen, S. (n.d.). Gum disease,
inflammation, hardened arteries may be linked to stroke risk. American
Heart Association. Retrieved March 15, 2022, from
https://newsroom.heart.org/news/gum-disease-inflammation-hardened-arteries-may-be-linked-to-stroke-risk?preview=2ab5
Sen, S., & Mascari, R.
(2020). Exploring the periodontal disease-ischemic stroke link. Journal of
Periodontology, 91, S35-S39.
https://doi-org.algonquin.idm.oclc.org/10.1002/JPER.20-0138
Marshall, H. (2015). Unhealthy
Gums? You May Be at Risk for Alzheimer's, Heart Disease, Stroke, and Type 2
Diabetes. Retrieved 2022, from https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A416120780/CIC?u=ko_acd_ac&sid=bookmark-CIC&xid=b9664709
2 comments:
Hello, I found this blog post quite educational about the oral health and systemic health link related to the risk of strokes. Many aren’t aware that the condition of their teeth and gums can affect their overall health. It is important to teach individuals that poor oral health practices can cause negative effects throughout the body. I did not know that those with periodontal disease had double the risk of narrowed arteries due to buildup that can increase the risk for stroke, compared to those who have not had periodontal disease. I found an article by Oral health Group, that further supports the link between periodontal disease and atherosclerosis, which increases the risk of a stroke. Oral Health (2015) states that the bacteria porphyromonas gingivalis responsible for periodontitis development has also been found in coronary artery plaque of those who have atherosclerosis. Porphyromonas gingivalis and other periodontal pathogens cause “changes in gene expression that boost inflammation and atherosclerosis” (Oral Health Group, 2015). I agree that good oral hygiene habits aren’t enough to reduce the risk because many factors could cause periodontal disease or increase the risk of a stroke. As well, periodontal disease can go undetected when not seeing regularly seeing a dental hygienist and therefore it is important to seek care regularly.
Reference:
Oral Health Group. (2015, November 9). Periodontitis as a risk factor of atherosclerosis. Oral Health. https://www.oralhealthgroup.com/oral-health/periodontitis-as-a-risk-factor-of-atherosclerosis-1003890012/
Hi Georgia!
Thanks for your comment, I completely agree that many are not aware of how our oral health can affect many different portions of our systemic health, especially the risk of narrowing arteries and increasing a risk of stroke. Thank you for providing another source that helps support the link! It was interesting to read another informational article that is teaching more into the oral health and systemic link.
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