Having a healthy heart involves more than exercising, eating vegetables, and avoiding stress. Believe it or not, you have to keep your mouth healthy as well! Not taking care of your teeth can cause gum disease, which affects half of all adults over the age of 30. If you gums look red or puffy or you bleed when you brush or floss, you most likely have gum disease. It might not seem like a big deal, but it can lead to heart problems down the road.