A groundbreaking 25-year study has revealed that regular dental flossing may significantly reduce the risk of stroke and irregular heartbeats, offering new insights into the connection between oral hygiene and cardiovascular health.
The research, to be presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2025 in Los Angeles, analyzed data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, examining over 6,000 participants' oral hygiene habits and their correlation with cardiovascular outcomes.
Key Findings and Clinical Impact
The study demonstrated that regular flossing was associated with a 22% lower risk of ischemic stroke and a striking 44% reduction in cardioembolic stroke risk. Additionally, participants who flossed showed a 12% lower risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib), the most common form of irregular heartbeat.
"Oral health behaviors are linked to inflammation and artery hardening. Flossing may reduce stroke risk by lowering oral infections and inflammation and encouraging other healthy habits," explains Dr. Souvik Sen, study lead author and chair of the Department of Neurology at Prisma Health Richland Hospital.
Study Design and Population
The research team tracked 4,092 stroke-free individuals and 4,050 participants without AFib diagnosis at baseline. Over the 25-year follow-up period, researchers documented:
- 434 total stroke cases
- 147 larger artery brain clots
- 97 heart-driven clots
- 95 cases of small artery hardening
- 1,291 cases of AFib
The analysis controlled for various risk factors, including high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, body mass index, and education levels.
Public Health Implications
The findings are particularly significant given that oral diseases affected 3.5 billion people globally in 2022. With AFib projected to affect more than 12 million Americans by 2030, these results suggest that simple, cost-effective interventions like flossing could have substantial public health benefits.
"Many people have expressed that dental care is costly. Flossing is a healthy habit that is easy to adopt, affordable and accessible everywhere," notes Dr. Sen.
Future Research Directions
Dr. Daniel T. Lackland, professor at the Medical University of South Carolina and American Heart Association EPI and Stroke Council member, suggests these findings could influence future cardiovascular health guidelines: "With further research, dental health practices could possibly be incorporated into the 'Life's Essential 8' risk factors."
While the study relied on self-reported questionnaire data and did not track changes in oral hygiene habits over time, its lengthy follow-up period and large sample size provide compelling evidence for the cardiovascular benefits of regular flossing.
