But the theory that oral bacteria pose a threat to the heart is another subject of intense medical debate.

CNN: Brush your teeth, save your life?

By inhibiting oral bacteria, Xylitol may cut cancer risk.

ECONOMIST: Medical confectionery

Some very cool science is on the drawing board: a recombinant vaccine that pairs salmonella with a gene from, say, the organism that causes tuberculosis as an oral delivery system to stimulate the body's natural immunity to both bacteria.

FORBES: Yes, there is a pulse