The connection between periodontitis and coronary artery disease isn't crystal clear, but recent studies have shown that people with gum disease tend to develop heart disease almost twice as frequently as those without it.

Periodontitis, or severe gum infection, results in excessive production of bacteria in the mouth. These germs, the same ones which ordinarily cause bad breath and result in plaque buildup, are usually confined to the mouth and don't migrate to other parts of the body.

But periodontal disease can also create open sores or ulcers in the mouth, which allow the bacteria to enter the bloodstream. The renegade bacteria stimulate the production of white blood cells and platelets, creating plaque and increasing the probability that blood clots will form. These clots, in turn, can lodge in narrowed blood vessels and cause heart attacks, myocardial infections, and a host of other cardiac problems.

This means that detecting gum disease may be an important diagnostic tool for finding cardiac problems.

Regular dental care, in conjunction with general oral hygiene, can prevent gum disease. New antibiotic treatments and even an experimental vaccine are being developed to treat existing gum disease.

Here's the bottom line:

Seek treatment for gum disease; better yet, prevent it entirely.

Even without its connection to heart disease, periodontitis shouldn't be ignored. If its possible connection to heart disease proves to be true, prompt treat could save your life.

Of course, your dental health is our primary concern, but we care about your entire well-being. Each part of your body has an impact on the others, and its our job to make sure your dental health has a positive impact on your overall health.