Normal oral bacteria have an important function in the mouth in being a barrier
towards unwanted microbes, they exhibit immunological properties, and saliva has a
buffering capacity against their acid production in caries activity. Repressed normal flora
causes overgrowth of pathogens. Unless adequately controlled an overload of bacteria will
arise with the result of infections. Oral bacteria and their infection products produce a
reaction by the immune system in the defense of potential harm from infections. It is apparent
that many factors are involved as oral bacteria and their bacterial products have no function
in the circulatory system. Chronic periodontitis and dental infections are to a great extent
lifestyle diseases and as such are preventable in most instances. Coronary heart disease is
also considered to be greatly influenced by lifestyle factors and is also acknowledged to be a
disease of inflammation and oxidation. The possible outcomes of cardiovascular disease
considered are atherosclerosis, thrombosis, myocardial infarction, stroke, aneurysm of the
aorta, and heart valve disease. This review examines the relations between the two diseases
whether these are strong enough to establish oral infections as an independent risk factor for
CVD. Bridging the knowledge gap between these disease entities is important and this
research needs to be further developed.
