It's possible that if you have periodontal disease,
you may be at risk for cardiovascular disease...
For a long time we've known that bacteria may affect the heart. Now evidence
is mounting that suggests people with periodontal disease - a bacterial infection,
may be more at risk of having a fatal heart attack, than patients without periodontal
disease. While more research is needed to confirm how periodontal bacteria may
affect your heart, one possibility is that periodontal bacteria enter the blood
through inflamed gums and cause small blood clots that contribute to clogged
arteries.
Another possibility is that the inflammation caused by periodontal disease contributes
to the buildup of fatty deposits inside heart arteries. One out of every five
Americans has one or more types of heart disease.
If you are one of these Americans, or if you are at risk for periodontal disease
, see a periodontist for a periodontal evaluation - because healthy gums may
lead to a healthier body.
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