Periodontitis and cardiovascular disease - A much discussed relationship.

Periodontitis and atherosclerosis have many potential pathogenic mechanisms in common. Both diseases have complex etiologies, genetic and gender predispositions, and potentially share many risk factors—the most significant of which may be smoking status. The objective of this review is to consider the mechanisms whereby diseases such as Periodontitis, which is chronic and inflammatory in nature and initiated by microbial plaque, can predispose to cardiac conditions.