Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health Gum Disease and Cavities Strongly Linked to Higher Stroke Risk
Dec 16, 2025
Discover how gum disease and cavities nearly double the risk of ischemic strokes. Chronic oral inflammation lets harmful bacteria enter the bloodstream, damaging arteries and promoting clots. MRI scans reveal that gum disease can lead to silent brain injuries, which are early signs of cognitive decline. Regular dental care and better nutrition can greatly reduce these risks. Learn tips on hydration, natural oral care, and nutrients that promote healing, along with the dangers of bleeding gums as a signal for broader health issues.
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Oral Inflammation Drives Stroke Risk
- Chronic gum inflammation lets bacteria and toxins enter the bloodstream and damages arteries.
- This process increases clotting and links periodontal disease to higher ischemic stroke risk.
Combined Gum Disease And Cavities Double Risk
- Over 21 years, people with both gum disease and cavities had nearly double ischemic stroke rates.
- Having both conditions raised ischemic stroke risk by about 86% after adjusting for major confounders.
Mouth Bacteria Found In Arteries
- Oral pathogens like Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis appear in arterial plaques and heart tissue.
- Gum inflammation also boosts fibrinogen and harms endothelium, promoting both arterial and cardioembolic clots.