In other words, statistical correlation does not necessarily indicate causation. A stroke occurs when blood vessels in the brain become blocked. This condition cuts off vital oxygen to brain cells causing paralysis, speech impairment, depression and even death. Periodontitis, an inflammation of the gum tissue, doubled patient risk for clot-related stroke, as compared to those with healthy gums. Current theory holds that infectious organisms, like the bacteria naturally present in your mouth, may enter the bloodstream through small cuts or scrapes.
Unhealthy gums bleed easily.
Once released into the circulatory system, these microbes irritate the inside lining of arteries. This irritation and inflammation initiates the accumulation of fatty plaques on the vessel walls. Samples of bacteria normally found in the mouth have been recovered from the artery walls of patients with coronary artery disease. Perhaps treating chronic gum disease is an important way of reducing the incidence of stroke. Also, antibiotic therapy has been proposed as a means to eliminate microbes in the circulatory system.