Floss for Better Heart Health!

Happy Mouth - Happier Heart

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DALLAS, Jan. 30, 2025 — Flossing your teeth at least once a week may be linked to a lower risk of stroke caused by a blood clot blocking brain blood flow and irregular heartbeats, according to a preliminary study to be presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2025.

Recent studies have explored the potential link between flossing and cardiovascular health, particularly in reducing the risk of stroke and atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Stroke Risk Reduction: A study analyzing data from over 6,000 participants found that individuals who flossed regularly had a 22% lower risk of ischemic stroke and a 44% lower risk of cardioembolic stroke compared to non-flossers.

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Risk Reduction: The same study observed a 12% lower risk of developing AFib among regular flossers.

Possible Mechanism:

Regular flossing helps reduce oral bacteria and inflammation, which are linked to systemic inflammation, a contributing factor to cardiovascular diseases. By maintaining good oral hygiene, individuals may decrease the inflammatory burden on the body, potentially lowering the risk of heart-related conditions.

Expert Insights:

Dr. Souvik Sen, chair of the Department of Neurology at Prisma Health Richland Hospital, emphasized the importance of flossing in cardiovascular health, stating, “We have known that gum disease and dental caries are risk factors for stroke and heart attack. Flossing is already known to reduce the rate of heart attack.”

While more research is needed to establish a definitive causal relationship, current evidence suggests that regular flossing may be a simple and effective measure to support heart health by reducing the risk of stroke and AFib.