A new study presented last month at the 89th International Association for Dental Research General Session and Exhibition in San Diego revealed that gum disease is much more likely to cause strokes than diabetes.

As reported by CDG, the study indicates that gum disease is a major risk factor for strokes and it most likely has as great of an impact on strokes as high blood pressure.

According to Dr. Tiejian Wu from the State University of New York at Buffalo, it’s the presence of bacteria which leads to the high stroke risk. The bacteria gets into the bloodstream causing clotting and damage to the lining of blood vessels, which increases the risk of stroke.

For more on this story see: Gum Disease More Likely to Cause Strokes than Diabetes and Gum Disease Raises Stroke Risk