Progress in the identification of oral microorganisms and the realization that certain microorganisms are normally found only in the oral cavity have opened the way for a more realistic assessment of the importance of oral focal infection. Oral infection, especially periodontitis, can affect the course and pathogenesis of a number of systemic diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus etc. This article focuses on periodontitis, as a causal factor for systemic diseases.
The teeth being the non-shedding surfaces in the body, the bacterial levels can reach more than 10 11 microorganisms per mg of dental plaque. Human endodontal and periodontal infections are caused due to predominant anaerobes with gram-negative rods being the most common isolates. The anatomic closeness of these microfloras to the bloodstream can facilitate bacteremia and systemic spread of bacterial…
