MILTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – We all know the importance of brushing your teeth, but did you know that oral care can actually prevent disease?

A new study from Harvard University has found that brushing your teeth twice a day can help prevent the risk of pneumonia.

For many people, it represents the beginning and end of the day. Brushing your teeth is a daily routine, but it also protects you from illness.

“We refer to the mouth as the gateway to the body,” says Dr. Megan Coburn, a dentist at Valley Health in Milton.

She says many common illnesses can be linked to poor oral hygiene.

“People with diabetes have a harder time controlling A1-C if their oral health isn’t right,” Dr. Coburn says. “It can lead to joint replacement surgeries failing, and the bacteria in your body can also increase your risk of heart disease.”

A new study from Harvard University shows that hospitalized patients who brush their teeth twice a day are much less likely to develop pneumonia. Nearly 20% were less likely to die in the ICU.

“Twenty percent is a significant number of patients who could be affected by this, but it’s as simple as two minutes in the morning and two minutes in the evening,” Coburn said.

You’d be surprised how many people only brush once a day. Coburn says brushing your teeth twice really makes a difference.

“What I tell my patients, especially children, is that we brush our teeth in the morning so our friends can get rid of bad breath,” Coburn said. “We brush our teeth at night to preserve our teeth. No matter what we eat throughout the day, food and plaque builds up, causing bacteria to grow and inflammation of the gums.”

Brushing your teeth has been proven to prevent heart disease, stroke, and flu season illnesses.

“Brushing your teeth not only eliminates inflammation in your mouth, joints, and heart, but it also gives your body one less thing to worry about,” Coburn says. “Let’s move on from fighting gum inflammation to fighting flu season and sinus infections.”

That’s why you need to brush every day, twice a day.

Copyright 2024 WSAZ. All rights reserved.