
Gum disease, often called gingivitis in its early stages, is caused by plaque buildup and affects 75 percent of American adults. New studies suggest that people who have gum disease are at a higher risk for heart attack. If bacteria in the infected gums dislodge, they can enter the bloodstream, attached to blood vessels and increase clot formation. Clots decrease the blood supply
flow to the heart and can increase chances of a heart attack and aggravate higher blood pressure.