Role of C-Reactive protein and periodontal disease in systemic health: A review

Periodontitis is a destructive inflammatory disease of the supporting tissues of the teeth. This condition is caused by a chronic, mixed infection of gram-negative bacteria. Periodontal pathogens affect local and systemic immune and inflammatory responses. A number of scientific evidence has shown that individuals with periodontitis have a significantly increased risk of developing coronary heart disease. In addition to conventional risk factors, chronic infection and subsequent production of systemic inflammatory markers, C-reactive protein (CRP) may be associated with this increased risk. This review appraises the available evidence to determine the influence of chronic periodontitis on the serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and its effects on systemic health of an individual. However, considerable work is still needed to confirm the relationship between periodontitis and CRP.