European journal of internal medicine
-
Periodontitis is a chronic, infectious, insidious disease of the tooth-supporting structures that causes a general inflammatory response. The aims of this study were to determine whether periodontitis is associated with endothelial dysfunction leading to cardiovascular events and whether proper management of periodontal disease would improve endothelial function and prevent cardiovascular events in the future. ⋯ Periodontitis may be an insidious cause of endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular events. Treating periodontitis can improve endothelial function and be an important preventive tool for cardiovascular disease.