AHA

ISC 2025: Is oral hygiene a key player in stroke prevention?

January 31, 2025

Regular flossing is a simple, affordable, and accessible habit that may significantly reduce the risk of stroke and afib. Encouraging patients to adopt regular flossing could be a valuable addition to stroke prevention strategies. The findings will be shared at the upcoming American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference in Los Angeles, CA.

Study details: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study assessed more than 6,000 participants' oral hygiene habits, including flossing, brushing, and dentist visits, over a 25-year period.

Results: Participants who flossed regularly had a 22% lower risk of ischemic stroke, a 44% lower risk of cardioembolic stroke, and a 12% lower risk of afib compared with those who didn’t floss.

Source:

American Heart Association. (2025, January 30). Regular dental flossing may lower risk of stroke from blood clots, irregular heartbeats [News release]. American Stroke Association International Stroke Conference 2025 - Abstract 19. Retrieved from https://newsroom.heart.org/news/regular-dental-flossing-may-lower-risk-of-stroke-from-blood-clots-irregular-heartbeats