Bleeding Gums & Stroke Risk: 4 Tips for Heart Health | am730

Bleeding after brushing your teeth is actually not a trivial matter. Are dental problems also related to stroke problems? Some doctors pointed out that studies have found that if your teeth often bleed after brushing, you may be suffering from periodontal disease, and your risk of stroke will increase by two times. In addition, certain dental conditions may increase the risk of stroke by 86%. Doctors broke down the relationship between teeth and the brain and pointed out that there are 4 major methods to help protect teeth and protect the brain at the same time.

Frequent bleeding while brushing teeth doubles risk of stroke!

Neurologist Zheng Chunyu shared on his Facebook page that according to October 2025, Dr. Souvik Sen, a professor of neurology at the University of South Carolina, published an article in Neurology: Open, the official journal of the American Neurological Association. Access” is an important study that relates oral health to stroke and white matter lesions. This study, based on nearly 6,000 participants and followed for 21 years, shows that people with both periodontal disease and tooth decay have the following risks compared with those with healthy oral health:

1. Doubled risk of stroke

• The risk of ischemic stroke increases by 86%.
• The risk of thrombotic stroke is 2.27 times.
• The risk of cardioembolic stroke is 2.58 times.

2. Increased risk of heart disease

• The risk of future major cardiovascular events, including ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction, is approximately 36% higher.

In addition, the study also found that patients with periodontal disease have a significantly increased risk of reaching the most severe level of “white matter damage” by 56%. Studies have also shown that severe “white matter damage” is related to the risk of brain degeneration.

Why do teeth damage the brain?

Dr. Zheng pointed out that although this study was observational and could not directly prove causality, it made two major inferences:

1. Systemic spread of chronic inflammation: The inflammatory factors released by periodontal disease and tooth decay can enter the blood circulation and promote hardening of blood vessels, leading to stroke and heart disease.
2. Distal transfer of bacteria: When gums bleed or have tooth decay, oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream and attach to the heart or blood vessels, forming infectious plaque and increasing the risk of blood clots.

4 oral actions to protect your brain

Dr. Zheng mentioned that there are 4 dental care methods that can help protect the brain:

1. Develop good oral hygiene habits

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day, using fluoride toothpaste, for at least two minutes each time.
• Use dental floss or an interdental brush at least once a day to clean between teeth to avoid plaque and tartar buildup.

2. Regular dental check-ups

• Don’t wait until you have a toothache to go to the dentist. Regular checkups and dental cleanings can effectively reduce the risk of periodontal disease.
• Studies have shown that regular dental visits can significantly reduce the risk of periodontal disease and tooth decay by 81%.

3. Early identification of dental problems

If you have signs of gum disease or tooth decay, seek early treatment to prevent chronic inflammation and infection from continuing. Symptoms include:

• Gums tend to bleed when brushing or flossing.
• Gums are red, swollen, tender, or receding.
• Persistent bad breath or bad mouth odor.
• Teeth are sensitive to heat and cold.
• Loose teeth or enlarged gaps between teeth.

4 Pay attention to your diet, quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption

• Strictly manage high blood pressure, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, and reduce sugar and refined starch intake to promote periodontal and cardiovascular health.