Cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of death worldwide, claiming the lives of an estimated 17.9 million people each year.

More than four out of five deaths from cardiovascular disease are due to heart attacks.

While there are few early signs of a heart attack, there is one that indicates that the risk of infection may arise while brushing teeth.

As with most cardiovascular diseases, a heart attack occurs when one or more of the coronary arteries become blocked. An impending heart attack is often indicated by a sensation of tightness or pressure in the center of the chest. While one of the most important risk factors for this condition is being overweight, growing research points to bacteria as a possible culprit.

When the bacteria enter the blood and travel to the heart, they can cause fatal infections in the organ’s inner lining. Now, a new study has identified a common condition that can increase the risk of germs entering the bloodstream, leading to a heart attack.

Periodontitis, also known as periodontal disease, is an infection of the gums that targets the soft tissues and bone that support the teeth.

An early sign of this condition is bleeding gums while brushing, which usually occurs during gingivitis, a milder form of periodontitis.

Although bleeding gums is relatively common, it should not be ignored. It is possible to reverse periodontitis in its early stages easily.

However, more advanced and severe forms of the disease can pave the way for other serious illnesses.

Furthermore, some oral surveys have indicated that at any one time, one in four adults has moderate to severe gum disease.

Signs and symptoms of the condition include:

Swollen or swollen gums

Bright red, dark red, or purple gums

Gums that feel sore when touched

Spitting up blood when brushing or flossing your teeth

Bad breath

Pus between the teeth and gums

According to a new study conducted in Sweden, it included 1,578 participants with an average age of 62, who underwent dental examinations between 2010 and 2014.

Of these patients, 985 patients were classified as healthy, while 489 had moderate periodontitis and 113 had severe periodontitis.

During the follow-up period of 6.2 years, there were 205 ‘clinical end point’ events defined as all-cause death, non-fatal heart attack, stroke, or acute heart failure.

The researchers noted that participants with periodontitis at baseline had 49% higher odds of the primary end points listed above.

Dr Ferranini said: “The risk of a cardiovascular event during follow-up was higher in participants with periodontitis, and increased in parallel with its severity. This was particularly evident in patients who had already experienced a myocardial infarction. We hypothesize that periodontal tissue damage in people with myocardial infarction. With gum disease, germs may be easier to pass on or into the bloodstream.”

This can speed up the harmful vascular changes of germs in the bloodstream. This can accelerate harmful changes in the blood vessels and/or increase systemic vascular damage.”

The deposition of germs in the lining of the heart is referred to as endocarditis and is usually caused by bacteria, fungi or other germs entering the body through the mouth.

During the early stages of gingivitis, gingivitis caused by bacteria can develop in as little as five days, making it necessary to treat symptoms as soon as they appear.