Recent research has revealed a genetic link between dental disease and risk of heart attack. Both periodontitis, a gum disease and coronary heart disease (CHD) are liked with smoking, diabetes and obesity.

Research team found the presence of same gene in a group of 1,097 patients with heart disease and in 151 patients with the most aggressive early-onset forms of periodontitis. Genetic association between both diseases was further confirmed by study of 1,100 CHD patients and 180 periodontitis patients.

Study leader Dr Arne Schaefer said: "Now we know for sure that there is a strong genetic link, patients with periodontitis should try to reduce their risk factors and take preventive measures at an early stage."

"We hope that our findings will make it easier to diagnose the disease at an early stage, and that in future a greater insight into the specific pathophysiology might open the way to effective treatment before the disease can take hold."

"In the meantime, because of its association with CHD, we think that periodontitis should be taken very seriously by dentists and diagnosed and treated as early as possible."