Periodontal disease and atherosclerosis: from dental to arterial plaque.

The conventional risk factors for atherosclerosis are well understood, but they can account for only about 50% to 70% of atherosclerotic events in the general population. Many other putative risk factors for atherosclerosis have been proposed, including traits related to obesity, inflammation, and infection. Periodontal disease is a candidate risk factor that shares many of these related traits. The periodontal diseases reflect a spectrum of oral pathology from gingivitis (gum inflammation) to severe periodontitis (progressive loss of gum attachment) with alveolar bone and tooth loss.