COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — Flossing your teeth at least once a week might lower the risk of stroke caused by blood clots and irregular heartbeats, according to a preliminary study presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2025 in Los Angeles.
The meeting was from February 5th to 7th, and is a world premier meeting for researchers and clinicians dedicated to stroke and brain health science.
“A recent global health report revealed that oral diseases — such as untreated tooth decay and gum disease — affected 3.5 billion people in 2022, making them the most widespread health conditions,” said study lead author Souvik Sen, M.D., M. S., M.P.H, chair of the Department of Neurology, Prisma Health Richland Hospital and the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Columbia, South Carolina. “We aimed to determine which oral hygiene behavior — dental flossing, brushing or regular dentist visits — has the greatest impact on stroke prevention.”
The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, followed over 6,000 people. Among those who reported flossing, 4,092 did not experience a stroke, and 4,050 were not diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation.
Participants were asked about high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, body mass index, education, regular brushing and dentist visits.
During the 25 years of follow-up, 434 participants were identified as having strokes, 147 were larger artery brain clots, 97 were heart-driven clots and 95 were hardening of the smaller arteries. 1,291 participants were noted to have experienced AFib.
The results found:
- Flossing was associated with a 22% lower risk of ischemic stroke, 44% lower risk of cardioembolic stroke (blood clots traveling from the heart) and 12% lower risk of AFib.
- The associated lower risk was independent of regular brushing and routine dental visits or other oral hygiene behaviors.
- Increasing the frequency of flossing had a greater chance of stroke risk reduction.
- Flossing was also associated with a lower chance of cavities and periodontal disease.
Researchers were surprised by the link between flossing and lower AFib risk, which can lead to stroke or heart failure. More than 12 million people are expected to have AFib in the U.S. by 2030.
“Oral health behaviors are linked to inflammation and artery hardening. Flossing may reduce stroke risk by lowering oral infections and inflammation and encouraging other healthy habits,” said Sen. “Many people have expressed that dental care is costly. Flossing is a healthy habit that is easy to adopt, affordable and accessible everywhere.”
“This study offers more insights into the specific dental health behaviors that may be linked to stroke risks and potential risk reduction. With further research, dental health practices could possibly be incorporated into the “Life’s Essential 8” risk factors, which include diet, physical activity, nicotine exposure, sleep, body mass index, blood pressure, blood glucose and blood lipids,” said Daniel T. Lackland, Dr.P.H., FAHA, American Heart Association EPI and Stroke Council member and professor of epidemiology and director of the Division of Translational Neurosciences and Population Studies in the department of neurology at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Lackland was not involved in this study.
The study started in 1987 and is ongoing. Of the 6,258 participants, 82% were self-reported white adults and 18% were Black adults. The average age was 62 years old and 55% of them were women.
Potential participants were excluded if they had total tooth loss, dental implants, heart disease, organ transplant, artificial joints, implanted heart valve or stent or major surgery.
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