It has been known since early time a tooth infection can easily kill you. Then antibiotics came along (~1940) and changed circumstances by making death 'by tooth' almost unheard of in the 1st world. A tooth ache/painful infection is considered to be an 'acute' dental disease/infection.
Now science is learning that 'chronic' (on-going/subtle/long term-no significant symptoms to the individual) dental gum & tooth infection is also detrimental to a persons long term health. Heart disease is now shown to be accelerated by chronic infection/inflammation. Mothers with gum disease are considerably more likely to miscarry and/or have premature birth. As more people are studied and research continues, the list gets longer.
Stressful situations are KNOWN to suppress the immune system and allow a chronic infection to become an acute painful problem. So when you are 'stressed' to SURVIVE in some future unknown situation, be prepared by having all systems 'healthy'-including your mouth/teeth/gums!

A stitch in time-can save 99!
gimpy