Breshly News

• Adults with both gum disease and cavities had the highest stroke rates by far — Those with healthy gums had a 4.1% stroke rate during the study period, while people with gum disease alone had a 6.9% rate. For individuals with both gum disease and cavities, that number jumped to 10%. After adjusting for factors such as age, smoking, blood pressure, and diabetes, the dual-diagnosis group still faced an 86% higher risk of ischemic stroke and a 36% higher risk of major cardiovascular events.

• Thrombotic and cardioembolic strokes were most strongly linked to oral disease — A thrombotic stroke occurs when a blood clot forms inside one of the arteries supplying the brain. A cardioembolic stroke happens when a clot forms in your heart and travels to your brain.

Participants with both gum disease and tooth decay were more than twice as likely to experience either type of stroke, suggesting that inflammation and bacterial invasion in the mouth have systemic effects that promote clotting and vascular injury.

• Regular dental care dramatically reduced the odds of oral disease and stroke — Participants who maintained consistent dental visits were 81% less likely to have both gum disease and cavities. They were also far less likely to experience stroke during the follow-up period. This highlights a simple but powerful step you can take — keeping regular biological dental appointments — to prevent serious vascular complications.

• Bacteria from the mouth infiltrate blood vessels and heart valves — Periodontal disease involves bacterial colonies that burrow below your gumline, damaging tissue and triggering your body’s immune response. Cavities form when acid-producing bacteria erode tooth enamel and create deeper infection sites.

Together, these infections release inflammatory chemicals such as C-reactive protein into your bloodstream, damaging blood vessel linings and accelerating atherosclerosis — the buildup of fatty plaques that narrow arteries.

Common oral pathogens, including Streptococcus mutans (linked to cavities) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (a gum disease bacterium), have been detected in arterial plaques and heart tissue. Once these bacteria enter circulation, they trigger clot formation, oxidative stress, and immune overactivation — all of which raise your risk for stroke.

• Oral inflammation increases systemic clotting tendencies — When your gums are constantly inflamed, your body produces more clot-promoting molecules like fibrinogen. This hypercoagulable state makes blood thicker and more prone to clot formation, which blocks arteries in your heart or brain. Over time, this mechanism connects something as seemingly minor as bleeding gums to a life-threatening vascular event.

Inflammation also disrupts endothelial function — the health of your blood vessel lining. Your endothelium regulates how well your arteries expand, contract, and resist plaque buildup. Chronic oral infections cause endothelial dysfunction, meaning your arteries become less flexible and more prone to damage. This sets the stage for high blood pressure, arterial blockage, and, ultimately, ischemic stroke.

• Older adults with gum disease showed measurable injury in the brain’s white matter — The participants, with an average age of 77, underwent full-mouth dental assessments followed by MRI brain scans years later.

Those with gum disease were far more likely to fall into the highest category of brain damage, even after adjusting for common vascular risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking. This finding suggests that inflammation in your mouth acts as a trigger for inflammation in your brain, long before a clinical stroke or cognitive decline becomes obvious.

• The difference in brain health was striking between those with healthy gums and those with periodontal disease — Participants with gum disease had a median white matter hyperintensity percentage of 2.83 compared to 2.52 in those with healthy gums.

That small numerical difference represents a major increase in brain tissue injury when viewed on MRI scans. The researchers also found that periodontal disease increased the odds of having extensive white matter damage by 56% after controlling for age, race, blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking.

• The more severe the gum disease, the greater the brain injury observed — Using an international classification system called the World Workshop Periodontal Profile Class, researchers noted a clear upward trend — as gum disease worsened, so did white matter damage. This pattern indicates a dose-response relationship: the more chronic the oral inflammation, the more harm done to brain microcirculation.

• Brain scans revealed that these lesions develop quietly and progressively — Many participants with the worst brain damage had never experienced a diagnosed stroke. That’s why cerebral small vessel disease is often called “silent stroke.” The MRI findings show that gum inflammation contributes to a slow and invisible decline in brain health that often goes undetected until memory, focus, or balance issues appear.

• Your gums and brain are connected through your bloodstream — Chronic inflammation doesn’t stay in your mouth — it travels, damaging the fragile capillaries that feed your brain. Reducing gum inflammation helps stabilize your vascular system, preserves your white matter, and supports long-term cognitive health. In essence, keeping your mouth healthy helps keep your mind clear and your stroke risk low.

1. Starve the bacteria that drive oral inflammation — The bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease thrive on sugar and acid. Processed snacks, sodas, sweetened coffees, and fruit juices all create the perfect breeding ground. Replace these with nutrient-dense foods — crisp fruits, raw vegetables, and grass fed protein — that strengthen your teeth and gums instead of feeding decay.

Drinking plenty of pure water throughout the day flushes out food particles and bacteria, keeping your mouth clean and hydrated. Every time you swap ultraprocessed foods for real food, you’re giving your mouth and your arteries a chance to heal.

2. Brush, floss, and rinse with consistency and care — Commit to a daily rhythm that stops bacterial buildup before it starts. Brush twice a day with a soft-bristled brush and a fluoride-free, mineral-rich toothpaste for at least two minutes. Floss gently once a day, or use a water flosser if your gums are tender.

Finish with a natural rinse made from saltwater or green tea extract — each supports a healthy oral microbiome while neutralizing acids that erode enamel. Over time, this habit reduces inflammation, bleeding, and the toxic load that harms your blood vessels.

3. Rebuild your mouth naturally with targeted nutrition — Your oral tissues depend on vitamins C, D, K2, and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and zinc for strength and repair. Cut back on processed seed oils and refined carbs that interfere with your body’s ability to fight infection.

If you prefer a hands-on approach, try making your own remineralizing toothpaste with ultrafine eggshell powder, baking soda, coconut oil, and peppermint essential oil — this simple blend restores calcium, cleans gently, and supports fresh breath without chemicals.

4. Choose holistic oral care — from your supplements to your dentist — Finding a mercury-free biological dentist ensures your treatments support your overall health, not just your teeth. These practitioners avoid toxic materials like mercury fillings and use biocompatible methods that work in harmony with your immune and cardiovascular systems. You can also add mouth-healthy nutrients and compounds to your routine.

For example, methylene blue — used as a mouth rinse at a 0.5% to 1% dilution — has been shown to deactivate microorganisms that cause gum disease and periodontitis.² This approach treats your mouth as part of your entire body, supporting detoxification and vascular balance.

5. Enhance circulation and detoxify your mouth naturally — Ancient oral cleansing techniques, like oil pulling with coconut oil, help draw out toxins and lower bacterial counts. Swish a spoonful of coconut oil around your mouth for five to 10 minutes, then spit it out. Combine this practice with daily exercise, which improves blood flow to your gums and brain alike.

These small but powerful habits — brushing with intention, eating whole foods, choosing the right dentist, and supporting circulation — build resilience from the inside out.

• Consumers for Dental Choice

• Dental Amalgam Mercury Solutions (DAMS) — Email them here or call 651-644-4572 for an information packet

• Holistic Dental Association

• Huggins Applied Healing

• International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine (IABDM)

• International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT)

• International Association of Mercury Safe Dentists

• Talk International