Reduce stroke risk through healthy teeth

Did you know that healthy teeth significantly reduce the risk of stroke? You have probably heard the saying: "Healthy teeth, healthy people! This is no longer just an empty phrase. On the contrary, the effective influence of oral health on your organism has even been scientifically proven. In today's blog post, we explain why periodontitis is associated with an increased risk of stroke.

Healthy teeth reduce the risk of stroke

Periodontitis is increasingly associated with an increased risk of stroke. It is a chronic inflammation of the periodontium. If periodontitis is not treated, there is not only a risk of tooth loss. The risks for your entire organism increase, because harmful bacteria from the mouth can spread throughout the bloodstream.

The vascular highway transports blood throughout the body. If harmful bacteria spread in the blood, they are also transported through the whole body. In this case, our immune system sounds the alarm. Inflammatory messengers are released to eliminate harmful germs and bacteria from the bloodstream. They attach themselves to the tissues of the blood vessels, but unfortunately also change them, because the vessels become harder and lose a lot of elasticity. This can lead to heart disease and strokes.

Periodontitis: major risk factor for stroke

When you protect yourself from periodontal disease through regular dental hygiene, you also protect your heart and brain. You minimise risk factors that may not be beneficial to your health.

If periodontitis is suspected, a special probe can be used to measure its full extent. Depending on the bleeding tendency and the depth of the gum pocket, the degree of periodontitis can be determined. Different degrees of looseness can also be used to determine the severity of periodontitis. If you suspect an inflammation of the jawbone, your dentist will take an X-ray. This will give him or her a good idea of how far the periodontitis has progressed.

To treat periodontitis, soft deposits are removed from your teeth. Gum pockets or root surfaces are cleaned. This special form of tooth and gum cleaning can significantly reduce the number of harmful bacteria. Carious teeth are treated to minimise the source of bacteria in this area. Mouthwashes can also be used to significantly reduce the number of harmful bacteria in your mouth that can spread throughout your body.