Many individuals with cardiovascular disease appear from epidemiologic studies to have either periodontal disease or to be edentulous. A Finnish group has provided evidence that after conventional risk factors for stroke and heart attacks have been accounted for, there still remains a significant relationship between dental disease and cardiovascular disease. A preliminary analysis of our own investigation of the interrelationship of medical and dental health shows that individuals with a high dental morbidity (ie, edentulous or with many missing teeth) have a high prevalence of coronary heart disease and stroke. A model based on how smoking can predispose to periodontal disease is used to explain how periodontal disease could be a potential risk factor for heart disease.