Oral Health and Cardiovascular Disorders

Several studies reported the cross talk between oral health and cardiovascular disorders. The aim of the present chapter is to review the main mechanisms linking oral and cardiovascular disorders, the main pathologies which could be linked, and possibilities for prophylactic and therapeutic interventions. Periodontitis was associated with cardiovascular risk, and the links between the two entities are represented by bacteria and their toxins released into the blood, causing endothelial dysfunction and providing a proatherogenic and prothrombotic effect and an inflammatory and immune reaction. The mentioned mechanisms explain the reported associations of periodontitis with stroke, coronary heart disease, and peripheral vascular disease. Periodontitis was also associated with diabetes mellitus and impaired lipid metabolism. Not all studies confirmed the association between periodontitis and coronary artery disease or stroke. Tooth loss, the most important consequence of periodontitis, has been also associated with cardiovascular disease. Dental and pulpal caries were also found to be independent risk factors for atherosclerosis, while restorations were inversely related to an atherosclerotic burden. Sucrose is involved in both cariogenesis and atherosclerosis. Fluorides prevent aortic calcifications and enamel demineralization and inhibit bacterial metabolism but are cardiotoxic. Heightening awareness of good dental hygiene can improve cardiovascular health.