Oral health isn’t just about your smile—it can help protect your heart, too. A new study, led by Dr. Souvik Sen, Chair of Neurology at USC’s School of Medicine Columbia and Prisma Health Midlands, found that regular flossing can reduce your stroke risk.
Why it matters
In 2021, South Carolina had the seventh-highest incidence of stroke mortality in the
United States, according to the CDC. In 2020, nearly 17,000 of our state’s residents
were hospitalized for stroke at a cost of $1.3 billion, according to the S.C. Department
of Health and Human Services.
What you can do
It's never too late to start flossing. This simple, cost-effective habit can significantly
improve oral health, providing stroke-reduction benefits similar to aspirin’s without
the increased risk of excessive bleeding.
Why it works
Regular flossing reduces your risk of gum disease and tooth decay, which in turn lowers
the overall risk of cardiovascular disease. Conditions such as atrial fibrillation
and coronary heart disease can increase the likelihood of both ischemic and cardioembolic
strokes.
Key findings
Sen’s study found that flossing at least once a week leads to:
- A 22 percent risk reduction in ischemic stroke (lack of blood supply to the brain due to blockages in blood vessels)
- A 44 percent risk reduction of cardioembolic stroke (when the heart pumps a blood clot or other debris into the brain, blocking blood flow and damaging brain tissue).
What he’s saying
“Flossing is affordable and anybody can do it,” says Sen. “Whether they're at high
or low risk for stroke, anybody can do it and reduce the risk of ischemic stroke.”
“Flossing is affordable and anybody can do it. Whether they're at high or low risk for stroke, anybody can do it and reduce the risk of ischemic stroke.”
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