Gum disease a higher risk of causing strokes than diabetes, says study

Tue, 05 Apr 2011
Research in the UK has shown that gum disease could offer a higher risk of causing a stroke than diabetes . The study claimed that people are twice more likely to suffer a non-fatal stroke because of gum disease as compared to type 2 diabetes, and that the impact of gum disease is about the same as having high blood pressure .

With both diabetes and high blood pressure being known to be major risks that contribute to non-fatal (or ischemic) strokes, gum disease, also known as periodontitis, has been increasingly identified in recent years as also a factor.

Nigel Carter, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, commented " Obesity, alcohol abuse, poor diet and smoking are generally well-known risk factors which can cause strokes. Less well-known are the risks caused by gum disease."

He added "The fact that high blood pressure carries a similar risk to gum disease is in itself a significant finding. The other finding which shows that gum disease nearly doubles the risk of non-fatal strokes, compared to diabetes, is totally unexpected."

The findings reinforce the awareness that there are many factors that cause strokes, and that people should be aware of the risks from a lack of proper oral health as contributing to the condition.

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