In a report published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers said that relieving inflammation in the teeth leads to improvement in the function of the arteries, which reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

"This is the first time that a direct link has been made between treatment for gum disease and improved circulatory function, which is relevant to some of the UK's biggest killers: heart attack and stroke", said Professor John Deanfield, of the UCL Institute of Child Health who worked on the study.

The researchers, along with their colleagues at the University of Connecticut, observed over 120 middle-aged patients suffering from severe gum disease but had no complaints of heart problems. They were then divided into two groups.

One group was advised about how to treat the gum disease while the other group was given intensive dental treatment, which involved the removal of plaque and teeth that could not be saved. After observing both the groups for a period of six months, researchers found that the group that had received intensive dental treatment showed significant improvements in their blood vessel function.

Deanfield said that more trials were needed to conclusively prove that heart diseases had any connection with gum diseases. "This finding has potential implications for public health, but further studies are now required to determine whether the treatment of severe periodontitis could directly contribute to the prevention of disease of the arteries (atherosclerosis), stroke and heart attacks", he said.

Meanwhile Professor Peter Weissberg, Medical Director of the British Heart Foundation, said that this study is vital as it provides direct evidence linking dental health with heart.

"This important new study provides direct evidence linking an improvement in dental health with better blood vessel function. Longer term studies will help show if this also means reduced levels of heart disease for this group of patients. It may be that people who take care of their dental hygiene avoid more than just a toothache", he added.