**7.3 Recommendations for patients with CVD or at risk of CVD in relation with periodontitis**

	- periodontitis is a chronic infectious disease having the potential to worsen their systemic condition
	- periodontitis is treatable in most cases but requires lifelong personal management and professional supervision
	- left untreated periodontitis leads to further bone destruction and finally to tooth loss
	- periodontitis is a "silent" disease so regular dental-periodontal check-ups are advised
	- periodontitis treatment has a positive impact on CVD and reduces the risk of CV events
	- **they need to seek periodontal specialized screening for periodontitis and eventually care as part of their ongoing management of CVD**
	- an annual oral check-up is recommended even in the absence of periodontitis.

*Periodontitis and Heart Disease: Current Perspectives on the Associative Relationships… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.102669*

	- Tooth brushing twice a day with an electric or a manual toothbrush is recommended; however, electric toothbrushes seem to be more efficient than manual toothbrushes in a personalized local hygiene routine.
	- Cleaning the areas between teeth using auxiliary oral hygiene aids is mandatory since using only conventional toothbrushing is not sufficient for complete plaque removal. Interdental brushes, carefully calibrated to fit the size of the interdental spaces should be used. Dental floss is an interdental cleaning option that can be used whenever the gums fill in the interdental spaces.
