The key bathroom habit that could slash risk of stroke by 44%, study finds

WE all know brushing twice a day is key to keeping those pearly whites sparkling.

But new research suggests there’s another bathroom habit that might just be the real game-changer in preventing something even worse than yellow teeth.

People who floss their teeth at least once a week lower their risk of suffering a potentially fatal stroke.

Scientists from the University of South Carolina say the benefits, including lower infection risk and less swelling in the blood vessels, are separate from toothbrushing.

They studied 25 years of data from more than 6,000 people.

It showed regular flossing was associated with a 22 per cent lower risk of ischemic stroke – the most common type.

People who cleaned between their teeth also had a 44 per cent lower risk of cardioembolic stroke and 12 per cent lower risk of an irregular heartbeat.

About 100,000 people have a stroke each year in the UK and there are 1.3million living survivors.

Strokes happen when the blood supply to part of the brain is blocked, usually by a clot.

Study author Professor Souvik Sen said: “Oral health behaviours are linked to inflammation and artery hardening.

“Flossing may reduce stroke risk by lowering oral infections and inflammation and encouraging other healthy habits.

“It is a healthy habit that is easy to adopt, affordable and accessible everywhere.”

Flossing as little as once a week was enough to lower risk but doing it more often improved the chance of stroke risk reduction.

The lower risk appeared to be extra to the benefits of regular brushing or dental visits.

Flossing was also associated with a lower chance of cavities and gum disease.

The NHS recommends that people floss before toothbrushing to remove tiny bits of food between the teeth.

Surveys show only 30 per cent of Brits floss regularly.

The findings of the study will be presented at the conference of the American Stroke Association.