New research finds that people who don't brush their teeth twice a day have an increased risk of heart disease.
The study in the British Medical Journal adds scientific weight to a decades-old theory about oral health and chronic disease.
After following 12,000 adults in Scotland, researchers found that those with poor oral hygiene had a 70 percent extra risk of heart disease.
The theory is that people with gum disease are more likely to develop heart problems and diabetes because inflammation in the body, including the mouth, plays a role in the build-up of clogged arteries.
