The scientists found that the higher the levels of the periodontal disease-causing bacteria, the more likely people were to have thicker carotid arteries.

An investigative team of researchers from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and Columbia University in New York City presented their findings Friday at the 83rd General Session of the International Association for Dental Research, convening at the Baltimore Convention Center.

First Report of Direct Link

This is the first report of a direct association between cardiovascular disease and bacteria involved in periodontal disease -- inflammation of the gums that affects an estimated 200 million Americans to various degrees. The research team's findings are published in the journal Circulation.

The researchers collected an average of seven dental plaque samples from 657 subjects (60% female; 56% Hispanic, 23% African-American, 18% Caucasian, 3% Other; average age 69 years). They will re-examine the same group in less than three years, to evaluate the progression of atherosclerosis (heart disease).

They measured both diseased and healthy sites for the presence of 11 oral bacteria -- four widely regarded to be involved in causing periodontal disease, and the other seven serving as controls.

Protein May Be Predictor

For evaluation of their cardiovascular health, the participants received a carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) measurement and provided a blood sample to determine their C-reactive protein levels.

C-reactive protein has been reported to be elevated in people with periodontal disease, and recent studies found that testing for this protein may be predictive of developing heart disease.

The scientists found that the higher the levels of the periodontal disease-causing bacteria, the more likely people were to have thicker carotid arteries.