Here's a reason to keep your mouth clean that you probably didn't expect: It might lower your risk of stroke.

If those aching joints are a result of rheumatoid arthritis, it may be a signal to take extra care of your teeth.

People with heart disease often have to pay very close attention to their health. It's possible that even dental health is closely associated with heart disease.

Before going through heart surgery, patients often have infected teeth pulled to avoid infection after surgery. However, this preventive measure may actually be causing more problems than preventing them.

Your mouth may give clues to your overall health. Inflammation linked with gum disease, for example, may play a role in heart disease. Treating gum disease, however, may not lower heart risks.

The expression "To have your heart in your mouth” may have a new meaning. Gum health has been shown to influence heart health, and good oral hygiene may even slow hardening of the arteries.

Studies have shown a link between gum disease and heart disease; both are driven by inflammation. Now it seems that link also may extend to treatments for heart problems — statins, which lower cholesterol, may help reduce gum inflammation.

Heart disease is a pretty complex business. So much so, that even adult tooth loss may be linked to heart health. 

Taking care of your teeth may provide more benefits than you think. Proper gum and tooth care is not only good for your oral health, but it might help your heart as well.

Living with erectile dysfunction, or impotence, can be a huge blow to a man's ego and, in some cases, his health. If doctors know who is at risk, they can take steps to stop erection problems.