A study published on October 22, 2025, in Neurology Open Access found that adults with both cavities and periodontal disease had an 86% higher risk of ischemic stroke compared to those with healthy mouths. Those with gum disease alone had a 44% higher risk. The research followed 5,986 adults with an average age of 63 over 20 years, using dental exams, phone interviews, and medical record reviews to track outcomes. Among participants with healthy mouths, 4% had a stroke, compared to 7% in those with gum disease alone and 10% in those with both conditions. People with both gum disease and cavities also faced a 36% higher risk of major cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and fatal heart disease. Regular dental visits were associated with an 81% lower likelihood of having both conditions and 29% lower odds of gum disease alone. The researchers, led by Souvik Sen of the University of South Carolina in Columbia, note that the study shows association rather than causation, and that oral health was assessed only once at baseline. For dental professionals, the findings reinforce the clinical case for treating periodontal disease and caries not only to preserve dentition, but as part of a broader effort to reduce systemic cardiovascular risk.