Dr. Oz explains how periodontal disease causes bad breath, and worse

Periodontal disease is a more extreme version of gingivitis, and if you have this condition, you can suffer from bad breath, tooth loss and even cardiovascular disease, according to an animated clip created for the Dr. Oz Show.

The video, which appears on the website of the thoracic surgeon and daytime television fixture, begins by zooming into the gumline, where a tooth and its adjacent gum tissue appear in cross-section.

As plaque spreads beneath the gums, periodontitis loosens teeth and allows bacteria to get into the bloodstream through the gum tissue. Once there, the microbes are shown causing microscopic scrapes inside small blood vessels.

These micro-injuries fill with foam cells, which attract cholesterol molecules. This process then invites white blood cells to attack the area, creating blockages that can lead to a heart attack or a serious blood clot.

As if that weren't bad enough, periodontal disease can also leave halitosis in your mouth, a condition that may require the regular use of oral care probiotic products.

Periodontal disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.