One of the most widespread connections is between poor oral health and heart disease.
There are several theories that can explain this connection.
In one, oral bacteria enter the bloodstream through sores in bleeding gums and attach themselves to the fatty plaques lining the blood vessels in the heart. Once there, they impede blood flow, which can lead to a heart attack.
Another theory is that inflammation of the arteries caused by periodontal bacteria restricts blood flow, eventually causing a heart attack.