Gum Disease Can Cause Stroke

Stroke is caused by a disturbance of blood supply to the brain.
The most common type is an ischemic stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel that normally delivers oxygen and nutrients to the brain is blocked.
An haemorrhagic stroke is when a blood vessel bursts, causing bleeding into the brain.
In any stroke the nerve cells in the affected area of the brain may die within minutes of being denied oxygen, leading to impairment of bodily functions.
An estimated 150,000 people have a stroke in Britain each year, leading to about 53,000 deaths annually.
Some studies have suggested a link between Periodontal disease and heart disease.
Periodontal diseases range from gum inflammation to diseases that damage the tissue and bone that support the teeth.
Gum disease is one of the main causes of tooth loss after the age of 40.
Research into heart disease has shown that micro-organisms associated with gum disease have been found in atheromas – accumulation of calcified material – in the arteries of patients.
It has been suggested that toxins in these micro-organisms damage cells in the lining of the arteries.
One theory is that periodontal disease may cause inflammation in the arteries and brain tissues, and cause greater amounts of compounds involved in clotting, and could result in a stroke.