Doctor’s go-to habit to reduce heart attack and dementia risk

Read carefully — and don’t lose the thread.

A super speedy habit you’re probably skipping could reduce your changes of heart attack, stroke and dementia.

But a naturopathic doctor who goes by Dr. Mac says she does it multiple times a day — and the science backs her up.

“If you see me flossing after every meal, it’s because I am terrified of having a heart attack and terrified of getting dementia when I’m older,” she said in a viral TikTok video (@drtoohey) with nearly 70,000 views.

Though the American Dental Association recommends flossing at least once a day, only about 32% say they do. In the same 2019 study, nearly 32% of Americans admitted they don’t floss at all.

Good oral hygiene has been tied to a bunch of health benefits, and not just for your mouth. That because the bacteria that causes gingivitis, or gum disease, doesn’t just stay around your teeth.

In 2019, researchers in Norway found DNA evidence that “bacteria causing gingivitis can move from the mouth to the brain,” said Piotr Mydel of Broegelmanns Research Laboratory at the University of Bergen (UiB).

There, it makes a protein that destroys brain cells, which can lead to memory loss and dementia. In their study of 53 perople with Alzheimer’s, 96% of them tested positive for this enzyme.

“The public needs to be more aware of the correlation between oral health and cognitive abilities,” Chia-Shu Lin, a professor in dentistry at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in Taiwan, previously told Newsweek.

Oral hygiene issues can also increase your odds of developing heart disease. It’s no small difference, either: People with gum disease are 28% more likely to suffer a heart attack.

“Studies show that people who brush their teeth regularly, along with getting dental cleanings, tend to have healthier hearts and a lower risk of heart disease,” gastroenterologist Dr. Saurabh Sethi said in one viral TikTok.

Your stroke risk is also influenced by your brushing and flossing habits. One study piblished this year linked flossing teeth at least once a week to a 22% lower risk of ischemic stroke, 44% lower risk of cardioembolic stroke and 12% lower risk of AFib.

“Oral health behaviors are linked to inflammation and artery hardening,” said the study’s lead author, Dr. Souvik Sen. “Flossing may reduce stroke risk by lowering oral infections and inflammation and encouraging other healthy habits.