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Brushing your teeth twice a day seems to provide benefits that go way beyond your pearly whites. Hi, I'm Dr. Cindy Haines, host of HealthDay TV. Poor oral hygiene is a frequent cause of gum disease, and gum disease can cause your body to respond with inflammation. This inflammation, in turn, can contribute to heart problems. In a new study from the journal BMJ, researchers interviewed nearly 12,000 people in Scotland, who were 50 years old on average. The participants told the researchers how often they brushed their teeth: twice daily, once daily, or less than once a day. Over roughly eight years, people had 555 cardiovascular disease events such as a heart attack or bypass surgery. The researchers found that those who brushed their teeth less than once a day had a 70-percent higher risk of a cardiovascular problem than those who brushed twice daily. They also had higher levels of two markers of inflammation that were measured in blood samples.
The American Dental Association urges people to brush twice daily with a toothpaste containing fluoride. The group also suggests cleaning between the teeth once daily with floss or another dentist-recommended cleaning device.
I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the news that doctors are reading; health news that matters to you.
