Study: Perforcing Teeth And Gusi Can Increase Stroke Risk

JAKARTA - The problem of cavities and gums may often be taken lightly. Many people delay dentists for later reasons or because they don't feel pain. However, recent studies show cavities and gum disease can increase the risk of stroke and cause damage to brain tissue.

A study conducted by a team of researchers from the University of South Carolina, United States, found a strong relationship between mouth health and brain health.

The study highlights chronic inflammation of the mouth, including due to cavities, can contribute to damage to white brain tissue (white matter), part of the brain in charge of transmitting signals between parts of the central nervous system.

"This research shows that there is a connection between gum disease and damage to white brain tissue. This indicates that mouth health plays an important role in brain health, and we are just starting to understand this," said Dr. Souvik Sen, a vascular neurologist from the University of South Carolina who led the study, quoted from the Science Alert page.

In the study, the researchers examined more than 1,100 adults by combining dental examination results and brain scans. The results show that those with gum disease or cavities experience 56 percent higher damage to white brain tissue than those with healthy teeth and gums.

Damage to white brain tissue or white matter hyperintensities is often associated with small blood vessel disease in the brain (CSVD). This can increase the risk of stroke and decrease cognitive function such as memory and concentration.

According to Dr. Sen, this condition can be caused by persistent inflammation in the oral cavity.

"Pronic inflammation can trigger excessive response from the immune system, cause damage to blood vessels and affect blood flow to the brain," he explained.

Surprisingly, the researchers also found that cavities and gum disease not only have a local impact on the mouth, but can trigger chain reactions throughout the body.

Bacteria and inflammation substances from infected gums can enter the bloodstream and eventually affect the blood vessels of the brain.

Mouth and cavities can actually be prevented and treated. If this relationship is proven through further research, maintaining oral hygiene can be a new way to prevent brain disease, including stroke, "added Dr. Sen.

In addition, this study also highlights that poor mouth health is often associated with unhealthy lifestyles such as smoking, excess sugar consumption, and lack of oral hygiene which is also a risk factor for stroke.

Therefore, maintaining oral health is not only a matter of avoiding the smell of the mouth or toothache, but also part of maintaining the health of the brain and heart.

Keeping mouth health looks simple, but the impact is big. Healthy mouth can mean healthy brain, "said Dr. Sen.

This study was published in the scientific journal Neurology Open Access, and a reminder that oral health is an important part of overall body health. So don't underestimate the cavities, immediately check with the dentist before it's too late.