Stroke- One of the leading causes of disabilities and deaths in India. Approximately 1.9 million people in India surrender to stroke every year. Even though these numbers make us feel helpless, they also make us wonder if there is a connection between oral health and overall health. Stroke and oral health have a strange secret connection you might not even realize exists.
As we become more aware of our oral health, the more likely we are to rescue ourselves from the stroke deformity. Millions of microorganisms, bacteria, germs, and plaque find their shelter in our mouths. Many of these are helpful in digestion, while others are associated with oral diseases that lead to more complications throughout the body.
Understanding The Secrets of Stroke
Before we correlate and understand the relationship between oral health and stroke, one must first understand what stroke is and what factors contribute to its risk.
Cerebrovascular accident or stroke is an entire blockage that takes place when blood vessels in the brain cracks, or bursts, or thrombus prevents oxygen from reaching the brain.
Ischaemic strokes are the most frequent type of strokes that come about when an artery fails to carry oxygen to the brain blocked by a blood clot (or thrombus). Other types include, Haemorrhagic stroke, and TIA (Transient Ischaemic Attack).
A hemorrhagic stroke, on the other hand, occurs when a vessel in the brain ruptures, causing blood to leak into the brain itself. Besides that, TIA is a very mild form of stroke (often called mini stroke). It occurs when the brain's blood stream is highly distorted and usually lasts for a few minutes.
The symptoms of TIA fade entirely within 24 hours and are mostly similar to the stroke, but are temporary and don't cause any permanent damage.
The neurological side effects of stroke can damage the brain's very fundamentals, including the control system and the functioning of the brain, such as thinking, walking, and talking.
Furthermore, strokes are one of the most significant causes of disability among adults as cells deprive the brain's CPU of oxygen. When the brain area is deprived of oxygen, brain cells begin to die, causing the particular area to malfunction.
Understanding The Secrets of Gum Disease
Another appreciable number of the world's most common health problems is Gum disease. A statistic informs the grim reality that approximately 95% of the Indian population is suffering from a periodontal illness (or gum disease).
According to new research, people with gum disease are twice as likely to suffer a stroke. If your teeth often bleed in the morning while you brush or floss, then please note that this is not normal. You must visit your dentist as soon as possible.
Researchers have also found that bleeding or inflamed gums changes the flow of the blood and the way arteries carry the blood get distorted in their work. For this, the Oral Health Foundation is motivating and inspiring people to become mindful over their oral health complications as these may count as a cardinal sign of gingivitis.
The Secret Connection Between Oral Health & Stroke
The secret or the most harmful connection between oral health and stroke is ‘serious inflammation’. Our mouth has become a home for an abundance of bacterias which unfortunately infects the blood stream. This in turn, produces blood clots, leading to a stroke.
This means that thrombus is preventing arteries from transporting blood to the brain and, as a result, many lumps are being seen as inflammation.
The mouth is the only part of the body that is most sensitive for speaking, rushes food, and senses the best flavour of food. In short, oral health is an essential part of your well-being and overall health.
Therefore, these crowds of bacterias and infections enter the bloodstream and stroke becomes an unavoidable consequence. Moreover, the story of our family members namely, bacterias, microorganisms and germs doesn’t end here. This developed inflammation is found to have a connection with other diseases like diabetes, cancer, and even Alzheimer’s disease.
By taking preventive measures against gum diseases and adopting good oral health practises, you can lower your risk of developing any such diseases in the future.
In addition to it, patients who have already undergone stroke are at the earliest need of maintaining good oral health care. Particularly those with physical or cognitive limitations that interfere with their daily activities or those who forget their normal chores.
To summarize, it's time to start thinking about wellness, not illness. Don’t take your oral health for granted. Taking care of your oral health begins and ends with your overall well-being. Make sure you brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss at least once a day.