A new article is recommending that patients with moderate to severe periodontitis be monitored for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease affecting the gums which can progressively lead to teeth loss as well as a range of other health problems. In its various forms, it is believed to affect between 30 to 50 percent of Americans.

Although scientist are not sure about the exact link between periodontitis and coronary heart disease—candidates include inflammation caused by the immune system as well as smoking, diabetes, genetics, mental anxiety, depression, obesity and physical inactivity—the authors believe the evidence is strong enough to recommend that doctors assess atherosclerotic CVD in their patients with periodontitis.

The paper was published today in the American Journal of Cardiology and Journal of Peridontology.

There is also good news for those struggling with gum disease who are looking for natural remedies as a recent Japanese study has found that compounds in green tea and many nutritional supplements appear to reduce the inflammation associated with periodontal disease.

The researchers believe that the antioxidant catechin is responsible for these beneficial effects.