Cape Town Smile Studios

Periodontal disease can worsen artery plaque formations

Endothelial cells are cells that line the walls of blood vessels. Narrowing of the vessels that supply blood to the heart can lead to certain areas of the heart muscle not receiving enough blood, suffocation of that part of the muscle and ultimately loss of function of that muscle, leading to a heart attack.

Periodontal infections may affect cardiovascular (blood vessels of the heart muscle) and cerebrovascular (blood vessels supplying the brain) systems directly.

The initial stages of atheroma formation (plaque formations on the inner surface of the bloodvessel) are due to inflammation of that area.  This inflammation can be initiated by damage to the vascular endothelium due to bacteria or viruses, chemicals (such as mercury from amalgam fillings), shear forces (trauma), etc. During the inflammation process white blood cells (monocytes) stick to and penetrate into vessel wall.  Biochemical processes lead to the thickening of the blood vessel wall and narrowing of vessel lumen.

The spread of bacteria and bacterial products (such as found in periodontitis) from other sites such as the oral cavity may stimulate a similar cascade of events or worsen an existing condition.

Cross section of a blood vessel showing the endothetilial cell lining.