Swiss researchers have discovered that the bacteria that cause gum disease and bad breath can increase the risk of heart disease.
This is because the fusiform bacteria, which cause bad breath, can increase the risk of developing myocarditis.
According to the British newspaper “The Sun”, the study tracked the heart health of more than 3,000 people for 12 years, and tested their blood for antibodies.
The team found that people who had antibodies to Fusobacterium bacteria in their blood, indicating they had gum disease at some point in their lives, were more likely to have heart attacks and strokes.
Heart disease is the broad term for conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels and is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the UK.