The Statistics

• Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. An estimated 34 percent of Americans have one or more forms of cardiovascular disease.
• An estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of gum (periodontal) disease, a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth.

The Relation

• Though the two may seem completely unrelated, some researchers claim that gum disease may lead to heart disease.
• Researchers have found people with gum disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without gum disease.
• Researchers found diseased gums released high levels of bacterial components into the bloodstream. These bacteria in the blood could travel to the heart and other organs of the body, and cause harm.
• All data stresses the importance of regular dental checkups to ensure a healthy disease-free mouth.
• Some clinical studies support findings of the relation between gum disease and heart disease; however, more research needs to be done to understand the link between gum disease and heart disease.