Yes, studies show that your oral health affects, and is affected by, other health conditions throughout the body. One reason is that your mouth is filled with bacteria, and poor dental hygiene can allow that bacteria to run amok and cause infection and tooth decay. Severe gum infection, or periodontitis, has been linked to a number of health problems, including endocarditis (an infection in the heart’s inner lining), stroke, clogged arteries, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s disease.