84 International Journal of Drug Research and Dental Science International Journal of Drug Research and Dental Science Volume 3 Issue 2 (Page: 84-91), 2021 ISSN: 2582-0826 Keywords: Periodontitis, Cardiovascular Disease, Inflammation, Pathophysiology, Biomarkers, Periodontal Microbes, Endothelial Injury. Periodontal Disease & Cardiovascular Disease- The Mouth to Heart Connection: An Overview Jaideep Mahendra 1* , Sruthi Srinivasan 2 , Little Mahendra 3 , Vivek Sharma 4 , Sunny Sharma 5 1 Professor, Department of Periodontology, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, India. 2 Post-Graduate Student, Department of Periodontics, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital Chennai, India. 3 Dean and Head of Research, Maktoum Bin Hamdan Dental University College, Dubai. 4 Professor and Head Department of Periodontics, Desh Bhagat Dental College and Hospital, Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab, India. 5 Registrar, Department of Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge, Indira Gandhi Govt. Dental College & Hospital, Amphalla, Jammu, J & K UT, India. Review Article Address for Correspondence Author Dr. Jaideep Mahendra; Professor, Department of Periodontology, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, India. E‑mail: jaideep_m_23@yahoo.co.in , drjaideep.perio@madch.edu.in Crossref doi: https://doi.org/10.36437/ijdrd.2021.3.2.I ABSTRACT The concept of periodontal medicine has been debated for years since its introduction. Research in the past has made it clear that there exists a strong positive correlation between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease. The microbes of periodontal disease have been seen to colonize the cardiac tissues and create inflammation. The host’s inflammatory response to the bacteria insult also causes damage to the cardiovascular system especially the chemical mediators such as cytokines, prostaglandins, and matrix metalloproteinases. Thus, this literature review aims at highlighting the pathophysiology of cardiac disease and the role of periodontitis in the etiology. It also aims at highlighting the various novel biomarkers that can be used for the early detection and diagnosis of both inflammatory conditions. Introduction Cardiovascular diseases (CVD), such as acute myocardial infarction and angina pectoris, are major public health concerns in developing countries and are among the most common medical conditions in the general population. 1,2 According to the Framingham Heart Study, by the time an individual turns 40years, 49% of men and 32% of women may have clinical symptoms of ischemic heart disease. In developing countries and populations with limited access to health education and dental care, gingivitis with substantial plaque and calculus deposits is the most common, extreme, and widespread etiology for cardiovascular disease. 3,4