The relationship between periodontal disease and systemic conditions.

In this year's report of the United States Surgeon General on oral health in America, two major themes evolved: 1) oral health means much more than healthy teeth, and 2) oral health is integral to general health. This article describes how oral diseases, in particular periodontal diseases, are associated with other health problems, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, complications of pregnancies, and osteoporosis.