In 2006, Melissa Caughey, PhD, aka “the other Dr. Caughey,” co-authored a journal entry in the Amercian Heart Journal describing the correlation between blood vessel function and the bacteria found in gum disease.
Although it was only a pilot study, it has been cited over 100 times in other journals, and the research findings are profound.
After periodontal treatment, not only were the depth of the periodontal pockets more shallow (and less room for bacteria to hide and cause trouble), but also the blood vessels functioned far better . . . so floss for your arteries’ sake!
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002870305009014