The Correlation Between Oral Health and Heart Disease

Recently, links between gum disease and cardiovascular disease have been discovered. The bacteria and their toxins involved in gum disease enter the bloodstream, cause inflammation, and contribute to plaque formation in the vessels of the heart. Periodontal treatments (scaling and root planing) reduce bacteria counts and inflammation levels to help improve oral health. This, in turn, reduces the increased risk of cardiovascular disease and strokes.

http://www.perio.org/consumer/media/releases.htm#health

http://www.perio.org/consumer/mbc.heart.htm