Abstract
Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disorder and characterized by the destruction of periodontal support tissue which consists of gingiva, periodontal ligament, cementum, and alveolar bone. About 70% of all Japanese people suffered from some degree of periodontal disease. It was traditionally thought that systemic illness such as blood disease, developmental disease, metabolic disorder, and infection aggravated periodontal condition. However, scientific studies regarding the association between oral condition and whole body showed that periodontal disease deeply influences cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, respiratory dysfunction, and preterm low birth weight. It was also reported that patients with periodontal disease had high risk of fatal coronary vascular disease, myocardial infarction, and stroke in comparison to healthy subjects. Periodontal disease increases CRP level in blood and promotes the development of atherosclerotic plaque, which might connect periodontal disease to cardiovascular disease such as stroke.
