Have you known someone in your life who has been a victim of stroke? It is not something that anyone would look forward to. There are several different ways that you can avoid stroke. Did you know that having gum disease puts you at a much higher risk for stroke?
Recent studies have suggested a link between Periodontal disease and stroke. Strokes occur when blood flow to the brain is inhibited. Strokes can also occur when there is a clog, or clot. Blood vessels may burst as a result of one or more of these conditions. As stroke is the second leading cause of death behind heart attacks it is always important for people to be able to better evaluate their risk of stroke. Periodontal disease has been linked to the type of stroke caused by a blockage. This may be caused by findings that people with missing or deteriorating teeth due to periodontal disease have thicker arterial walls. The walls are thickened by periodontal bacteria getting into the bloodstream and sticking to vessel walls. The thicker walls lend themselves to decreased blood flow in general by causing blood cells to stick to the sides of the walls. This decrease in blood flow will mean that the brain gets less blood and can lead to a stroke if left untreated. Treatment for people with blocked or enlarged arterial walls can be costly and painful. A simpler approach would be to reduce your risk of stroke by reducing the risk of enlarged arterial walls.
Treatment of periodontal disease is much easier and less painful than treating enlarged arterial walls. For instance, gum disease can be treated without the need for surgery. Long Island periodontist Dr. David Scharf can perform a procedure using a laser rather than performing gum surgery.
For more information on reducing your risk for stroke by treating gum disease on Long Island please visit Dr. Scharf To read about treating gum disease with a laser click this link.
