Can periodontal disease be a potential risk factor in the development of other health problems?
The most recent scientific research indicates that periodontal diseases may, in fact, be a significant risk factor for a number of systemic diseases. Periodontal disease is caused by pathogenic bacterial organisms. These periodontal pathogens have the potential to escape from the confines of the infected gum tissues, travel in the blood stream and become widespread throughout the body. Some of the health problems that have been linked to periodontal disease include: Heart Disease: When bacteria from the periodontal pocket enters the blood stream, it appears that the heart is one of the most susceptible organs. The periodontal bacteria cause small blood clots and contribute to the buildup of fatty deposits inside the coronary (heart) arteries. Researchers have found that the risk of coronary artery disease is twice as high in people who have periodontal disease compared to those who do not have periodontal disease. If you know that you have heart disease or currently receive treatment f
