INTER-RELATION OF PERIODONTAL DISEASES WITH CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES-A Review

There have been a few establishments to prove the hypothesis, that oral infection has influences in cardiovascular health of an individual. Among many chronic dental infections, periodontal infections in particular have been said to have an impact on various cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, fatal and non-fatal myocardial infarctions, venous thrombosis, peripheral artery disease and stroke. Various studies including epidemiological, novel research approaches, direct and indirect immunological and microbiological studies have been performed to confirm or eliminate this association. This article reviews the discussions to whether periodontal infection and its influence in cardiovascular disease are, in fact relevant or is a mere coincidence.