Severe gum disease, or periodontitis, is significantly linked to an increased risk of ischemic stroke, with studies showing that severe periodontitis increases stroke risk by up to 4.19 times compared to minimal disease. Regular dental care and collaboration between dental and medical professionals may help reduce stroke risk by improving plaque control and reducing inflammation.
- Severe periodontitis is associated with a 4.19 times higher odds ratio for ischemic stroke compared to minimal disease.
- A review of 15 studies (7 cohort and 8 case-control) published between 2000-2026 confirmed the severity-related trend.
- Follow-up periods of 15+ years showed even greater stroke risk with a 1.80 hazard ratio.
- Regular dental care and interdisciplinary collaboration between dental and medical professionals can help lower stroke risk.
- Studies using newer standardized diagnostic criteria reported the strongest association with an odds ratio of 5.35.
Severe gum disease appears to be linked to an increased risk of ischemic stroke. Collaboration between dental and medical professionals may improve patient outcomes, according to a review recently published in the Journal of Periodontology.
Furthermore, regular dental care may help lower the risk of stroke by improving plaque control and reducing inflammation, the authors wrote.
“Severe periodontitis is significantly associated with ischemic stroke, with a consistent severity-related trend across studies,” wrote the authors, led by Steven Sitt of the Taipei Medical University School of Dentistry in Taiwan (J Periodontol, August 15, 2026).
The review examined research published between January 2000 and January 2026 to determine whether more severe periodontitis is associated with a greater risk of ischemic stroke. The goal was to provide clinicians with evidence that could support patient risk assessment and collaboration between dental and medical professionals, they wrote.
Eligible studies included cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional research involving adults aged 18 and older. Periodontitis was identified through clinical or radiographic evaluations, such as probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss, or bone loss, with healthy individuals or those with minimal disease serving as comparison groups. A total of 15 studies, including seven cohort studies and eight case-control studies, met the criteria for inclusion.
Pooled results showed that periodontitis was associated with a higher risk of ischemic stroke, with a hazard ratio of 1.24 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11 to 1.38), and an odds ratio of 4.59 (95% CI, 1.81 to 11.62). The risk was greater among individuals with severe periodontitis, with an odds ratio of 4.19 (95% CI, 3.14 to 5.59), compared to those with moderate disease, who had an odds ratio of 1.63 (95% CI, 1.16 to 2.29), they wrote.
Studies that used newer standardized diagnostic criteria reported an even stronger association, with an odds ratio of 5.35 (95% CI, 3.35 to 8.55). Additionally, longer follow-up periods of 15 years or more were linked to a greater stroke risk, with a hazard ratio of 1.80 (95% CI, 1.33 to 2.44). Overall, the findings suggest that systematically diagnosed severe periodontitis may contribute to the development of ischemic stroke over time.
The study, however, had limitations. The observational nature of all included studies raises concerns about the potential influence of residual confounding factors, the authors added.
“Patients with periodontitis and a higher risk of stroke should call for interdisciplinary collaborative care,” Sitt and colleagues concluded.
