Tooth Loss Significantly Increases Stroke Risk in Adults, suggests study

Stroke remains a heavy burden of global disease, leading not only to premature death but also to disability for a lifetime in survivors. Oral health, frequently neglected, is crucial for prevention and management of systemic disease. Tooth loss is among the most prevalent oral diseases in adults and is usually associated with periodontal disease, inadequate oral hygiene, and chronic systemic inflammation. The research was cross-sectional analysis with data drawn from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) involving 23,473 adults. The number of missing teeth was recorded for each participant by professional dentists. Multivariable logistic regression models with adjustment for confounders were used to assess tooth loss and the risk of stroke. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis was also used to evaluate the nonlinear association between tooth loss and stroke. Subgroup analyses were conducted to verify if the association was homogeneous across various population groups. Results Of the 23,473 participants in the study, 4.19% had a history of stroke. The stroke-diagnosed participants had more missing teeth than those without stroke. Following the control of multiple variables, each extra missing tooth raised the odds of stroke by 2% (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.02, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.01–1.03). In addition, those with complete tooth loss carried a 163% increased risk of stroke among those with no missing teeth (OR = 2.63, 95% CI: 1.90–3.62). The RCS analysis validated a nonlinear, positive association between tooth loss and stroke risk, showing that stroke risk increases more steeply with increasing numbers of missing teeth. The study showed that there was a strong positive correlation between missing teeth and stroke risk in U.S. adults. These findings reinforce the importance of oral health in the prevention of serious systemic disease. Large-scale, well-controlled trials will ultimately be required to replicate these findings and support the inclusion of oral health interventions as a component of stroke prevention programs. Reference: