Risks for heart disease include smoking, high cholesterol, being overweight and having high blood pressure or hypertension. Today, there is evidence mounting that shows periodontal disease may increase your risk for heart disease as well.

Several theories exist to explain the link between periodontal disease and heart disease. One theory is that oral bacteria can affect the heart when they enter the blood circulation, attaching to fat plaques in the arteries of the heart. This may contribute to clot formation. These blood clots can cut off normal flow of nutrients and oxygen required for proper heart function.

In turn, this may lead to a heart attack. Researchers have found that people with periodontal disease are twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without periodontal disease.