From Name: From Email: To Name: To Email: Optional Message: How oral hygiene affects the rest of you from LiveScience Brushing your teeth, flossing and visiting the dentist keep your teeth and gums healthy, but maintaining good oral hygiene is also important for your overall health, research suggests. In some cases, oral problems can be a symptom of other diseases, such as diabetes. Research has also linked gum disease to heart disease, premature birth and even knee arthritis. more 7701 Las Colinas Blvd., Ste. 800, Irving, TX 75063