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Periodontitis and cardiovascular disease: periodontal treatment lowers plasma cholesterol.(Editorial)(Disease/Disorder overview)
- Article from:
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Southern Medical Journal
- Article date:
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July 1, 2007
- Author:
- Losche, Wolfgang
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Copyright informationCOPYRIGHT 2007 Southern Medical Association. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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In this issue of the Southern Medical Journal, Dr. Oz and colleagues (1) report on the beneficial effect of periodontal treatment in hypercholesterolemic patients suffering from periodontitis.
Periodontitis is an infectious disease caused by a small group of predominantly anaerobic Gram negative bacteria present on the tooth surface as microbial biofilms. Lipopolysaccharides and other microbial substances gain access to the gingival tissue and initiate and perpetuate an inflammatory reaction, which leads to the destruction of the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone and, finally, to tooth loss. Numerous case control and cohort studies have indicated that patients with ...