Gum disease linked to increased stroke risk in young adults

The team said this highlights the importance of good oral hygiene. Further research is needed to confirm if maintaining healthy gums can lower your stroke risk, particularly for those under fifty.

The Leskelä et al. study titled ‘Periodontitis, Dental Procedures, and Young-Onset Cryptogenic Stroke’ investigated individuals aged 18 to 49 who had encountered their initial cryptogenic ischemic stroke.

CIS refers to a subtype where the cause is not immediately identifiable despite comprehensive medical assessment.

Ischemic strokes, which account for about 87 per cent of all strokes, occur when an artery supplying blood to the brain is blocked, usually by a blood clot. In many cases, the underlying cause can be identified, such as atherosclerosis, cardiac arrhythmias (like atrial fibrillation), or small vessel disease.