Coronary artery disease and periodontal disease: is there a link?

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer worldwide. The so-called classic risk factors of coronary heart disease do not account for all of its clinical and epidemiological features. Recent evidence suggests that certain infections, among them dental infections and in particular periodontal disease, are involved in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease.

AIM

To evaluate the association between periodontal disease and coronary artery disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fifty patients referred for diagnostic coronary angiography were assessed for periodontal disease. All patients underwent a thorough physical examination, routine laboratory testing, cardiac evaluation and dental examination which included pantomography x-ray evaluation.

RESULTS

Pantomography x-rays and coronary angiograms of the participants were scored blindly by a dentist and cardiologists respectively. The association between periodontal disease and coronary atheromatosis remained significant after adjustment for age, smoking, blood lipids, body mass index, hypertension and the presence of diabetes.

IMPLICATIONS

Periodontal disease was still significantly associated after all the known risk factors were accounted for. The implication here is that periodontal disease could be a potential risk factor for heart disease by predisposing the individual to chronic low-grade infections. If so, then dental health becomes an important parameter for medical health.