How exactly are dental hygiene and heart conditions related?

Indirectly: There has been some connections between dental health and heart disease. The two basic insights are inflammation and bacterial plaque. Inflammation of the gums, gingivitis or advance periodontal disease, can lead to inflammation in other body sites, like the heart. These can lead to chronic conditions. Bacteria found in the mouth has been found in the heart( blood borne).

Bleeding gums: Bleeding gums from poor oral hygiene represent an easy passageway for oral bacteria to enter the bloodstream. Once there, the bacteria wreak havoc on your organs, including the heart. This is the oral-systemic link.

Debatable: A " link" has been proposed for many years. Some claim bacterial, others the inflammatory reactions to the germs, others cite reactive cytokines (chemicals in the blood) but none have yet to prove a causal link. We all know it's possible, even common sense, but the exact mechanism remains a mystery. Best bet? Exercise, eat right, keep your mouth spotless and visit the dentist--minimum once a year!

Bacterial: In the lack of oral hygiene , the gums get infected and the sulcus between the gums and the teeth gets filled with plaque and bacteria , any manipulation like normal brushing or even chewing on rough foods makes those bacteria circulate in the blood stream ( called septicemia ) , bacteria hits other weak organs in the body , like for example a weak or defective heart...