Strokes increase the risk of which oral health problems?

• A. Increased caries & periodontal disease risk
• B. Stomatitis & mucositis
• C. Dental erosion
• D. Candidiasis

Answer: (A)

Stroke can leave a person with limited ability to perform daily oral care and can alter saliva production. Difficulties with brushing and flossing due to weakness or cognitive changes, plus medications that cause dry mouth, reduce the mouth’s natural defenses. Saliva helps neutralize acids and wash away food particles; when saliva is diminished, bacteria have more opportunity to produce acids that cause dental caries and to inflame gum tissue, increasing the risk of periodontal disease. These factors make increased caries and periodontal disease the most consistent and direct oral health risks after a stroke. The other options are less likely to be broadly elevated in stroke patients: stomatitis and mucositis are more typical of chemotherapy or immune suppression; dental erosion relates to acid exposure from diet or reflux; candidiasis tends to occur with immune compromise, antibiotic use, or denture-related factors.