Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, taking more than 17 million lives each year. The causes of this condition are well known; smoking, obesity, and high cholesterol.

New studies show that there is another culprit that contributes to the unhealthy heart. It turns out that dental neglect can lead to heart illness. The mouth is the dirtiest part of the human body and when a bacterial infection takes place, it can cause a catastrophic snowball effect that sometimes leads to heart failure or stroke. The constant battle of fighting off infection can leave veins and arteries stiff and encrusted, thus more likely to clog. So there is one more reason to keep a healthy smile.