Periodontal bacteria can enter the blood stream and travel to major organs and begin new infections. Research is suggesting that this may:

• Contribute to the development of heart disease, the nation's leading cause of death.
• Increase the risk of stroke.
• Increase a woman's risk of having a preterm, low birth weight baby.
• Pose a serious threat to people whose health is compromised by diabetes, respiratory diseases, or osteoporosis.