The association of gingivitis and periodontitis with ischemic stroke

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the associations of different periodontal parameters with cerebral ischemia. Methods: In a case–control study, 303 consecutive patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack, and 300 representative population controls received a complete clinical and radiographic dental examination. Patients were examined on average 3 days after ischemia. The individual mean clinical attachment loss measured at four sites per tooth was used as indicator variable for periodontitis. Results: Patients had higher clinical attachment loss than population (p 6 mm had a 7.4 times (95% confidence interval 1.55–15.3) a gingival index >1.2 a 18.3 times (5.84–57.26) and a radiographic bone loss a 3.6 times (1.58–8.28) higher risk of cerebral ischemia than subjects without periodontitis or gingivitis, respectively. Conclusion: Periodontitis is an independent risk factor for cerebral ischemia and acute exacerbation of inflammatory processes in the periodontium might be a trigger for the event of cerebral ischemia.