Mechanisms of action of periodontitis on accelerating atherosclerosis.

Periodontitis, a common disease, is considered to be closely associated with many systemic diseases, especially cardiovascular disease. Atherosclerosis is the basic pathological change of cardiovascular disease, and recent evidence has indicated that periodontitis promotes the onset and progression of atherosclerosis. This article reviews the roles of periodontitis in accelerating atherosclerosis and highlights the involved mechanisms to provide new strategies for diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]