Bad teeth are costly, painful, distracting, and probably unhealthy, too.

Yep.

Periodontitis has been linked to increased inflammation in the body such as indicated by raised levels of C-reactive protein and Interleukin-6.[4][5][6][7] It is through this linked to increased risk of stroke,[8][9] myocardial infarction,[10] and atherosclerosis.[11][12][13][14][15][16][17] It also linked in those over 60 years of age to impairments in delayed memory and calculation abilities.[18][19] Individuals with impaired fasting glucose and diabetes mellitus have higher degree of periodontal inflammation, and often have difficulties with balancing their blood glucose level owing to the constant systemic inflammatory state, caused by the periodontal inflammation.[20][21]