The thread that saves lives: the simple bathroom habit that protects the heart and brain

A large-scale American study from the University of South Carolina, which followed 6,000 participants for 25 years, reveals that using dental floss, even once a week, significantly reduces the risk of stroke and fatal heart arrhythmias. The researchers, led by Dr. Souvik Sen, found that dental floss provides more prominent protection than regular brushing, by preventing bacteria from entering the bloodstream from the gums.

A large-scale American study from the University of South Carolina, presented at the International Stroke Conference of the American Stroke Association, reveals a direct link between dental flossing and a significant reduction in the risk of stroke and atrial fibrillation. The study followed more than 6,000 participants for 25 years, during which over 400 cases of stroke and about 1,300 cases of atrial fibrillation were recorded. The study was led by Dr. Souvik Sen, head of the neurology department. The findings show that even minimal use of dental floss, once a week, provides significant protection, surpassing that of regular brushing. The biological explanation: bacteria and toxins that accumulate between the teeth can penetrate through damaged gum tissue into the bloodstream, attach to the walls of the heart, and increase the formation of blood clots that lead to stroke. The researchers note that oral health affects the entire body, and that oral diseases affect about 3.5 billion people worldwide. The study joins additional scientific evidence linking oral hygiene to the prevention of chronic systemic diseases, including arthritis and Alzheimer's.