Heart Disease related to Periodontal Disease

For many years my thoughts on periodontal disease, which is a bacterial invasion of the (hard and soft tissues of the mouth) gums and bone around the teeth, was that there must be some type of systemic connection between this localized disease and the rest of the body's health. Over the past few years the research has, unfortunately proven this theory true. According to the American Academy of Periodontology's article of February 7, 2002 entitled Data Reveals Diseased Gums Pump High Levels of Harmful Bacterial Components Into Bloodstream located at www.perio.org/consumer/bacteria.htm this connection between heart disease and periodontal disease seems to be real. Periodontal disease is one of the most prevelant diseases today and now with this added research coming to the forefront, periodontal disease can not only contribute to the loss of your teeth, but can possibly be life threatening.