The preliminary findings were presented at American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2025
The mundane activity of flossing your teeth could be the secret to better cardiovascular health, preliminary findings from a new study suggest. The findings were presented at American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2025.
Flossing was associated with a 22% lower risk of ischemic stroke (caused by blood flow to the brain being blocked), 44% lower risk of cardioembolic stroke (blood clots traveling from the heart) and 12% lower risk of atrial fibrillation – a condition in which the heart beat become irregular.
“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, 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,” he added.
The study which began in 1987 is ongoing. “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. Many people have expressed that dental care is costly. Flossing is a healthy habit that is easy to adopt, affordable and accessible everywhere,” Sen said.
Participants were asked about their status regarding 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, of which 147 were larger artery brain clots, 97 were heart-driven clots and 95 were hardening of the smaller arteries. A total of 1,291 participants were noted to have experienced atrial fibrillation.
