The people with periodontal diseases or with few or no teeth experience have risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Head of the Dental Department,Jinnah Hospital, Principal Dental Surgeon Dr.Khalid Mahmood Butt told APP here Monday that recent research revealed that the association between oral health and coronary diseases have been linked to the infection involved in periodontal diseases.

He said a long standing low grade infection with exacerbations in a constant potential source of acute disease and a strong contributory factor in other systemic diseases.

He said oral infections like dental caries, gingivitis, (inflammation of gums) periodontal diseases (inflammation of the supporting issues of the teeth) are most commonly present in every individual at varying degree and increasing in intensity as age advances and finally resulting in loss of teeth. The loss of teeth may be regarded as disease of aging.

Dr.Khalid said cardiovascular diseases (CVD) like coronary heart diseases (CHD), stroke and periodontal arterial disease make up the most prevalent category of systemic diseases and are also age related just as the periodontal diseases. Cardiovascular diseases are one the most common causes of death in the world.

Mild to severe infection of any type affecting tissues of the oral cavity (mouth) is itself a source of infection for a remote diseases or manifestation of a systemic ailment. The mouth is a portal of entry as well as the site of disease for microbial infections that affect general health.

Dr.Khalid keeping in view latest research advised the people to get their teeth properly medically examined by a qualified dental surgeon to fully ensure health of teeth and avoid its related risk of heart failure.