Is there a link between periodontal disease and coronary heart disease?

OBJECTIVE

To provide a critical review of the studies completed to date that have investigated a link between coronary heart disease and dental health.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis.

SETTING

Mainly hospital-based patients or subjects involved in longitudinal health care studies.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The incidence of coronary heart disease and its relationship to dental health and other recognised risk factors.

RESULTS

Evidence suggests that dental health, in particular periodontal disease, may be a significant risk factor for coronary heart disease and further coronary events. Possible biological mechanisms that link the two diseases are appraised.

CONCLUSIONS

There does appear to be increasing evidence that a relationship exists between dental health and coronary heart disease, especially in males aged 40-50 years. The presence of a hyperinflammatory monocyte phenotype may provide a common biological mechanism that links the two diseases.