Researchers focused on data from more than 6,000 study participants with an average age of 62 years old. The group was followed for up to 25 years as part of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study. Over the course of the study, 434 participants had a stroke and 1,291 were diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFib).
Overall, flossing at least once per week was associated with a 22% lower risk of ischemic stroke, a 44% lower risk of cardioembolic stroke and a 12% lower risk of AFib. Flossing more often appeared to lead to more significant risk reductions.
The reduced risk is independent of oral care such as regular teeth brushing and visits to the dentist, the research showed.
âWe knew that flossing regularly will lower the bodyâs level of inflammation, and the level of oral infection, but now, based on this study, we know it will reduce the rate of stroke, atrial fibrillation, and cardioembolic stroke,â study investigator Souvik Sen, MD, professor and chair, Department of Neurology**,** University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia, told Medscape Medical News.
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/regular-flossing-tied-reduced-ischemic-stroke-risk-2025a10002t7
7 Likes
Just in case anyone hasnât found these thingsâŚ.they make flossing so easyâŚâŚ

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PBJ
#3
I have been using the GUM or Oral B brand flossers, but those, with the double line, look better.
1 Like
AnUser
#4
It doesnât decrease risk of anything, itâs associated with a lower risk of having the events mentioned, thatâs totally different, because confounding factors that has nothing to do with flossing could be the cause.
Youâd need a clinical trial to substantiate this.
Bicep
#5
I use the Smart floss from Dr Tung only because it says no BPA, PFAS, PTFE. No idea why anybody would put these things in floss, but apparently they do.
I also like the soft picks, which donât say they donât contain poison so they probably do. But theyâre great picks and work well for me after eating meat.
Itâs not flossing that lowers the risk but the reduction of periodontal disease, which can increase inflammation throughout the body. There is research about that. In addition to floss, I use a Water Pik.
2 Likes
AnUser
#7
Itâs not lowering risk, itâs associated with a lower risk.
You can avoid ice cream consumption to lower your risk of shark attacks. Thatâs the same reasoning.
I dip these into my rapamycin toothpaste every day before useâŚ
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Karel1
#9
Using floss is probably associated with a higher disposable income which is associated with a lower risk of âŚ
1 Like
Porthos
#10
I floss once per week, whether I need to or not.
1 Like
Orlando
#11
Can I add tacrolimus cream into my toothpaste?
Tacrolimus is not a highly targeted mTOR inhibitor like rapamycin or temsirolimus. I am not sure of the value it would provide.
1 Like
hamtaro
#13
Flossing is also a critical factor in maintaining a healthy oral biome.
Orlando
#15
Thanks! I learn a lot in this forum 