The Effect of Periodontal Disease on Endocarditis: A Comprehensive Review

Context: Periodontal disease, a chronic inflammatory condition resulting from bacterial infection, has systemic implications, with one of the most concerning associations being infective endocarditis (IE). The entry of oral pathogens into the bloodstream can lead to heart infections, especially in individuals with Evidence Acquisition: A thorough review of studies that examine the relationship between periodontal disease and infective endocarditis was conducted. This includes research on microbiological mechanisms, bacteremia, and the epidemiological association of oral infections with heart disease. Results: The findings confirm that periodontal disease increases the risk of bacteremia, which can contribute to infective endocarditis. Studies showed that endocarditis cases may be linked to oral pathogens, particularly in patients with heart risk factors such as prosthetic heart valves or a history of endocarditis. Conclusions: The link between periodontal disease and infective endocarditis underlines the importance of maintaining oral health, especially for individuals at increased cardiovascular risk. Effective prevention, including oral hygiene and prophylactic antibiotics, is essential to reduce the incidence of heart-related infections.