Strokes Linked to Tooth Loss

We have discussed numerous times the importance of caring for your teeth. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing two times a day, flossing daily, and attending six-month cleanings and checkups to help you maintain your teeth for a lifetime.

A new study links having 24 or fewer natural teeth to increased risks of strokes. Research, conducted at Japan’s Hiroshima University, found that underlying gum disease causing loss of teeth is a proponent of stroke patients.

Analysts examined 358 stroke patients and found the ones in their 50s and 60s had significantly fewer teeth than the control group. Patients with 24 teeth or fewer teeth had a 57 percent increased risk of stroke, compared to participants with 25 or more teeth. Reports suggest that tooth loss may be related to both hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes.

I’m Dr. James Stewart, a dentist in Livonia, MI. I can’t stress enough the importance of proper care for your teeth. Gum disease, a preventable condition, is the number one cause of tooth loss. If you are in need of your six month dental appointment, please call my Livonia dentist office at (743)425-4400 to schedule an appointment.  I care for patients in and around Livonia, Dearborn, and Farmington Hills, Michigan.