Significant dose-effect seen between flossing frequency and reduction in incident ischemic stroke
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
FRIDAY, Jan. 31, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Dental flossing is associated with a lower risk for ischemic and cardioembolic stroke and atrial fibrillation (AF), according to a study presented at the annual American Stroke Association International Stroke Conference, held from Feb. 5 to 7 in Los Angeles.
Souvik Sen, M.D., M.P.H., from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Columbia, and colleagues examined the relationship between flossing, incident stroke, stroke subtypes, and AF in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities cohort study. Home use of flossing was assessed through a structured questionnaire.
Data were included for 6,278 dentate participants without a prior history of stroke and 6,108 without prior AF who were followed over a 25-year period. The researchers found that 65 percent of the stroke-free cohort reported flossing. Flossers had significantly lower rates of vascular risk factors, periodontal disease, and dental caries. Overall, 434 individuals were identified as having strokes during the follow-up period: 146 thrombotic, 102 cardioembolic, and 95 lacunar subtypes. Dental flossing was associated with a significantly lower risk for ischemic stroke, cardioembolic stroke subtype, and AF, but not thrombotic or lacunar stroke. A significant dose-effect was observed between flossing frequency and the reduction in incident ischemic stroke. The reduced rate of AF mediated a small proportion of the cardioembolic stroke risk reduction.
“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,” Sen said in a statement. “Many people have expressed that dental care is costly. Flossing is a healthy habit that is easy to adopt, affordable, and accessible everywhere.”
Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
