The presence of different Gram-positive and Gram-negative oral bacteria in the bloodstream can induce cytokines interleukin-1 (IL-1 β), tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α) and metalloproteinases (MMPs), leading to a dysregulated acute response, and in some instances leading to sepsis, a common life-threatening complication when the body’s immune system responds to infection and injures its own tissues and organs [43,44,45]. Here, TNF is linked to infection.