Stroke
Did you know that there’s a connection between stroke and gum disease? Your mouth has thousands of bacteria, and some can affect other parts of your body. When bacteria from the mouth enter the blood vessels, they attach to fatty plaques in the heart’s blood vessels (coronary arteries). This buildup may lead to heart attacks or strokes. In fact, people with gum disease have two to three times the risk of stroke, heart attack, or other serious cardiovascular events.
If you have a history of stroke, make good oral health a priority
If you’ve had a stroke, maintaining good oral hygiene can help you avoid experiencing additional complications. According to the American Heart Association, if a critically ill patient doesn’t maintain regular dental care following a stroke, they have a higher risk of developing ventilator-associated pneumonia.
Good oral health habits not only prevent gum disease, they can also help minimize your risk of developing or worsening other conditions, including additional strokes. So, it’s important to brush after every meal and before bedtime and floss at least once a day.
Getting professional dental cleanings regularly also helps, because when plaque accumulates, it can harden and turn into tartar. Once tartar has formed, only your dentist or hygienist can remove it.
If you notice any symptoms of gum disease, make an appointment with your dentist. The sooner you seek care, the better your chances of reversing any damage and protecting your overall health.
A unique program that supports better overall health—at no extra cost
If you have a history of stroke or other eligible medical conditions affected by oral health, our Oral Health for Overall HealthSM program’s preventive dental services, outreach and education, and integrated medical care programs can help you live healthier.
These valuable services are available to enrolled members at no extra cost when visiting a participating provider. Program benefits include two extra cleanings or preventive visits per year (total of four).
If you have health and dental plans from Florida Blue and have a history of stroke, you’re automatically enrolled. If you don’t have a health plan with Florida Blue, you can easily enroll online.
Once enrolled, all you need to do is make an appointment with a participating dentist.