PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Hani H. Mawardi
AU  - Lena S. Elbadawi
AU  - Stephen T. Sonis
TI  - Current understanding of the relationship between periodontal and systemic diseases
AID  - 10.15537/smj.2015.2.9424
DP  - 2015 Jan 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 150--158
VI  - 36
IP  - 2
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/36/2/150.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/36/2/150.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2015 Jan 01; 36
AB  - Periodontal disease (PD) is among the most common infectious diseases affecting humans. While the burden of periodontal disease on oral health has been extensively investigated, a possible specific relationship between the disease and systemic health is a relatively new area of interest. More recently it has been suggested that PD has an etiological role in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and preterm low-birth weight, among others. In this review, we critically evaluate the current knowledge on the relation between PD and systemic diseases overall, and specifically with cardiovascular diseases. The best available evidence today suggests that the infection and inflammatory reaction associated with PD may contribute toward systemic disease. It is critical that dentists and physicians are well informed of the potential general health impact of periodontal disease so that they are in a position to knowledgeably counsel patients.