We have all been told to brush twice a day, floss regularly and visit the dentist every six months but what if our oral hygiene habits were doing more than just keeping our smile bright? What if they were actually protecting our brain? That is the surprising takeaway from a recent study published in Neurology: Clinical Practice , which revealed that people with poor oral health and specifically those with both gum disease and tooth decay, are at almost double the risk of stroke compared to those with healthy teeth and gums. The study, conducted as part of the long-term Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) project, followed nearly 6,000 adults over two decades. Researchers found that individuals with periodontal disease (a serious gum infection) and dental caries (caviti

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