Patients With Moderate To Severe Periodontitis Need to Be Evaluated For Cardiovascular Problems

According to a paper by editors of The American Journal of Cardiology and Journal of Peridontology patients with moderate to severe periodontitis should receive evaluation and possible treatment to reduce their risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease which is the accumulation of lipid products within the arterial vascular wall.. For those not sure, periodontisis is a bacterially-induced, chronic inflammatory disease, that destroys connective tissue and bone that supports the teeth. In the United States it affects 30 to 50% of adults in the more mild and moderate forms and the severe form affects 5 to 15% of all adults in the USA.

The explanation for the link between periodontitis and atherosclerotic CVD is not yet clear, but a leading candidate is inflammation caused by the immune system. In recent years the inflammation is now recognized as a significant active participant in many chronic diseases.

New research recommends that patients with moderate to severe periodontitis should be informed that there may be an increased risk of atherosclerotic CVD if they have periodontitis. Patients with one or more known major risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease should see a medical professional if they have not within the past 1 year.

Based on The American Journal of Cardiology and Journal of Periodontology Editors’ Consensus: Periodontitis and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease. Vincent E. Friedewald, MD, Kenneth S. Kornman, DDS, PhD, James D. Beck, PhD, Robert Genco, DDS, PhD, Allison Goldfine, MD, Peter Libby, MD, Steven Offenbacher, DDS, PhD, MMsc, Paul M. Ridker, MD, MPH, Thomas E. Van Dyke, DDS, PhD , and William C. Roberts, MD. July 1, 2009. American Journal of Cardiology, Volume 104, Issue 1.

2 thoughts on “Patients With Moderate To Severe Periodontitis Need to Be Evaluated For Cardiovascular Problems”

  1. Hey there,

    I had to post this here as I could not find your contact info on the website.

    I am the owner of dentalhealthsite.com which caters to the general audience on the aspects of dental health.

    I went through your site and am impressed and would love to have an oppurtunity to make a guest post on your blog.

    You can have a look at my site for my style of writing and let me know if you are interested by mailing me.You could tell me the topic to write or I could choose that myself.

    Thank you
    Dr. Mujtaba
    .-= Dr. Mujtaba´s last blog ..Teeth Grinding(Bruxism) Can Give You A Headache =-.

Leave a Comment