Can Good Oral Hygiene Prevent A Stroke?
A study conducted in Finland by Tampere University researchers suggests that good oral hygiene could prevent a stroke after finding traces of oral bacteria in the blood clots that caused strokes.
Why a stroke occurs
Medical News Today states, “A stokes occurs when the supply of blood to the brain is either interrupted or reduced. When this happens, the brain does not get enough oxygen or nutrients, and the brain cells start to die.”
How was it conducted
Researchers analyzed clot samples from 75 people who received emergency treatment for ischemic stroke.
When they then analyzed the blood clot samples, they found that 79% of them bore DNA from common oral bacteria.
One final note
Researchers from Tampere note that while they show that oral bacteria are involved in strokes, it is unclear whether they cause strokes or whether “their role is solely as bystander.”
They suggest that “Regular dental care should be emphasized in primary prevention of [acute ischemic stroke]”
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