How does periodontal disease increase my risk for heart disease?

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http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/periodo... Source(s): wikipedia.org

March 17, 2007

Bacteria growing in your mouth is harmful to your heart valves. Most of the time, with proper oral care, the bacteria never gets anywhere near the heart. But if there are wounds in the mouth, like sores, gingivitis or periodontal deterioration, the bacteria can get into the blood stream and attack the heart valves.

Whoa; when I learned that a few years ago, I got SERIOUS about brushing, flossing & mouthwash!
Gum disease caused by infection circulates throughout the body and can affect the heart.
Several theories exist to explain the link between periodontal disease and heart disease. One theory is that oral bacteria can affect the heart when they enter the bloodstream, attaching to fatty plaques in the coronary arteries (heart blood vessels) and contributing to clot formation. 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.