Stro.ke Isn’t So Scary If You Know This: A Simple Habit for Healthy Blo.od Vessels
Stro.ke—the nightmare of the 21st century—spares no one. But don’t panic just yet. Stro.ke is highly preventable if we take proactive steps to care for our blo.od vessels.
Cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, are currently the leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the latest data from the American Heart Association (AHA).
To effectively prevent cardiovascular disease, lifestyle interventions such as a balanced diet and regular exercise are crucial.
However, there’s one lesser-known yet powerful strategy for improving heart and brain health: flossing.
Flossing isn’t just essential for oral hygiene—it may also provide unexpected benefits for your cardiovascular and neurological well-being.
How Flossing Reduces Stroke Risk
A recent study found that regular flossing is linked to a significant reduction in the risk of certain types of strokes and atrial fibrillation (AFib). These findings were presented at the 2025 International Stroke Conference by the American Stroke Association.
“We already know that gum disease and tooth decay are risk factors for stroke and heart disease. Flossing has been shown to reduce the likelihood of heart attacks,” said Dr. Souvik Sen, Chair of Neurology at Prisma Health Richland Hospital and the study’s lead author, in an interview with Healthline. “Our study found that flossing can also lower stroke risk, and the more frequently people floss, the greater the benefits.”
The Study: Flossing and Cardiovascular Health
Researchers analyzed data from over 6,000 participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, which began in 1987 and is ongoing. This study evaluates lifestyle factors and behaviors linked to atherosclerosis (artery narrowing).
Dr. Sen and his team focused on the relationship between flossing and cardiovascular health.
Among the 4,092 participants surveyed, about 65% reported using dental floss. Over a 25-year follow-up period, 434 individuals experienced strokes, 97 of which were caused by cardioembolic strokes (blood clots traveling from the heart to the brain).
Compared to non-flossers, those who flossed regularly had:
- 22% lower risk of ischemic stroke
- 44% lower risk of cardioembolic stroke
- 12% lower risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib)—a common irregular heartbeat that significantly increases stroke risk
How Does Flossing Protect Against Stroke?
While the exact reason flossing reduces stroke risk remains unclear, researchers suspect it’s related to inflammation—a key risk factor for heart disease.
"Oral hygiene habits can impact inflammation and arterial stiffness," Dr. Sen explained. "Flossing may lower stroke risk by reducing oral infections and inflammation while also encouraging other healthy habits."
Periodontal disease, a gum infection, can lead to chronic inflammation—which, like other forms of inflammation, is linked to cardiovascular disease. This suggests that simple oral care habits like brushing and flossing may play a role in reducing heart disease risk and supporting overall health.