It is important for patients to know that when they have their teeth cleaned, the dental prophy is not done for “cosmetic” reasons. Patients with periodontal disease have twice as much chance of developing heart disease as patients without gum disease. The cause is thought to be chronic, low-grade bacteremia in the blood stream, originating from the disease site. This bacteremia is thought to cause a chronic inflammation of vessels, which makes them more susceptible to atherosclerotic plaque accumulation and eventual artery blockage.