Flossing teeth to reduce risk of stroke; Arizona couple pleads guilty to $1.2 billion health care fraud; first study on the molecular basis of food allergy – Morning Medical Update

Author(s):

Austin Littrell

Key Takeaways

Regular flossing is linked to a 22% lower risk of ischemic stroke and a 44% lower risk of cardioembolic stroke, independent of other dental care habits.
An Arizona couple admitted to a $1.2 billion healthcare fraud, involving illegal kickbacks and fraudulent billing, resulting in over $614 million paid by federal programs.
Researchers identified β-casein AA 59-78 as a molecular trigger for eosinophilic esophagitis, marking a significant advancement in understanding food allergies.

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Consistent flossing may lower risk of stroke from blood clots, irregular heartbeats

A new study presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2025 suggests that flossing at least once per week may significantly reduce the risk of stroke caused by blood clots and atrial fibrillation (AFib). Researchers found that regular flossing was associated with a 22% lower risk of ischemic stroke and a 44% lower risk of cardioembolic stroke, independent of brushing and dental visits. Souvik Sen, MD, MS, MPH, lead author of the study, emphasized that flossing is an accessible and affordable habit that may reduce inflammation and improve cardiovascular health.

Arizona couple pleads guilty to $1.2 billion health care fraud

Last week, an Arizona couple pleaded guilty to a $1.2 billion health care fraud scheme targeting Medicare, TRICARE, CHAMPVA and private insurers. Alexandra Gehrke, 39, and her husband, Jeffrey King, 46, admitted to conspiring with others to order oversized amniotic grafts through untrained sales representatives, funneling illegal kickbacks and instructing nurse practitioners to perform graft procedures regardless of medical need. The fraudulent billing, which ran from November 2022 to May 2024, resulted in over $960 million in claims against federal health care programs, with more than $614 million paid, and the duo agreed to pay restitution totaling over $1.2 billion while forfeiting more than $410 million in illicit proceeds. Gehrke faces up to 20 years in prison when sentenced next week, and King awaits sentencing.

The first study to identify molecular basis of food allergy

A study led by Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) has identified a specific milk protein, β-casein AA 59-78, as a trigger for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a chronic food allergy affecting the esophagus. Published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, this marks the first time an EoE allergen has been pinpointed at the molecular level. Researchers used advanced sequencing techniques to map the immune response, a method that could be expanded to research into other food allergens.