The links between the oral infection and atherosclerosis have been well documented by current epidemiological data. Oral infection contributes to atherosclerosis directly and indirectly in some ways, which are including that oral pathogens invade the artery endothelial cells, damage the endothelial cells, increases the Creactive protein level, up- regulate the inflammatory gene and inflammatory cytokine production, trigger platelet aggregation and affect the vessel wall via inflammatory and immune responses. This article reviews the current understanding about the relationship between oral pathogens and atherosclerosis.
