There is a link between emergency dentistry prevention and good cardiac health, one expert has insisted.

Writing in response to a reader query in the Sun Sentinel, Suzy Cohen said that the same germs which contribute to forming plaque on the teeth can get into the arteries to clog them up, potentially leading to heart attacks.

The correspondent had wondered if this link was a myth, but Ms Cohen said various studies have proved it to be true.

For instance, British research recently revealed Streptococcus bacteria can enter the bloodstream via bleeding gums.

"It's so easy to brush and floss your teeth and it affects the health of your most important muscle," Ms Cohen commented.

Experts recommend brushing the teeth twice a day for at least two minutes at a time, as well as flossing once a day for the best results. It is advised that toothbrushes are changed every three months.