Popis: |
Background: The relationship between periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases has been a debatable topic since over a century, yet the debate is still ongoing. Periodontitis and coronary artery disease are both immuno- inflammatory in origin with many confounding risk factors associated with each other. Various epidemiological and interventional studies have been carried out to prove its biologic plausibility. There is however deficient literature on the exact pathophysiology of the spread of periodontal disease to cardiovascular disease. Objective: This review article aims to highlight on the most recent scientific evidence to substantiate on the causal relationship between the two diseases. Results: Various interventional and epidemiological studies suggest that there is a strong correlation between periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases, however there is a lacunae in literature in the in-vitro and long term clinical trials to support its exact biological mechanism. Conclusion: In the interest of public health, the cardiologists and the periodontists at large should be made to understand the role of maintaining good oral hygiene for general well being and refer to the specialist when necessary. Key words: Cardiovascular Disease, Focal infection, Focal Sepsis, Heart Disease, Periodontitis. |