Periodontitis (inflammation of the tissue surrounding the teeth) is caused by bacteria that can attack the gums, teeth and jawbone. Step by step, deep periodontal pockets are formed, in which the pathogens can multiply before spreading throughout the entire body via the bloodstream and damaging the blood vessels.

A recent prospective study now suggests that successful treatment of periodontitis can slow or stop the development of arterial plaques.

The findings have been published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Source:
http://www.wissenschaft-aktuell.de/artikel/Bestaetigt__Chronische_Zahninfektion_foerdert_Arteriosklerose1771015589380.html

Moïse Desvarieux et al. (2013): Changes in Clinical and Microbiological Periodontal Profiles Relate to progression of carotid intima - media thickness: The Oral Infections and Vascular Disease Epidemiology Study. Journal of the American Heart Association, DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.113.000254