Your periodontal health is important, so talk to your periodontist about payment options. Often the office staff will work with your insurance company to secure maximum benefits. More research is needed to confirm how periodontal disease may put people at increased risk for respiratory disease. What we do know is that mouth infections like periodontal disease are associated with increased risk of respiratory infection. More about periodontal disease and respiratory disease.
Several theories exist to explain the link between periodontal disease and heart disease.
Coronary artery disease is characterized by a thickening of the walls of the coronary arteries due to the buildup of fatty proteins. Blood clots can obstruct normal blood flow, restricting the amount of nutrients and oxygen required for the heart to function properly. This may lead to heart attacks. Researchers have found that people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without periodontal disease. More about periodontal disease and heart disease.