Periodontal Disease and Heart Disease Risk
Periodontal disease has been associated with an increased risk of both heart disease and stroke, and recent studies have shown that treatment of severe periodontal disease can reduce markers of inflammation such as C reactive protein, and even reverse some early indicators of pathology in atheroscleosis. Periodontal bacteria have been found in the carotid artery, showing that the bacteria do travel beyond the oral environment. We make treatment or periodontal disease a priority in our office to help our patients maintain good overall health, and we encourage anyone with risk factors for heart disease or stroke to maintain a three month appointment schedule for dental cleanings or periodontal maintenance.
