The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between the oral self care behaviour and acute cerebral ischemia. Methods: 303 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke (T) and 300 representative population controls (C) matched for age, gender, ethnicity and area of residence underwent a clinical and radiographic dental examination. A questionnaire was used by trained interviewers in a face-to-face interview to investigate all known and/or suspected risk factors for stroke and periodontitis as well as their oral self care behaviour. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of the use of toothbrushes and toothpastes, flosses and interdental brushes or mouthrinses. In a multivariate model with "Preceding Stroke" (OR 10.38; 95%-CI 4.39-24.54; p Schlagwörter: oral self care, ischemic stroke