The mouth is full of bacteria and should the wrong kind of bacteria get into the bloodstream via an open wound, they could cause platelets to clump together or cause the arteries to harden, leading to heart attacks or stokes, according to a pair of studies.

"In other words, it doesn't matter how fit, slim or healthy you are, you're adding to your chances of getting heart disease by having bad teeth," said University of Bristol research Howard Jenkins.

Read the AFP report.