Brushing Twice a Day Keeps Heart Doc Away

Not brushing can give you furry arteries as well as furry teeth, according to Scottish researchers. Their study of 1,100 adults found that those who didn't take care of their teeth were 70% more likely to suffer heart trouble who brushed their teeth twice a day, the BBC reports. The researchers say the inflammation of the gums caused by poor oral hygiene can contribute to clogged arteries.

"Compared to things like smoking and poor diet, which are obviously the main risk factors for heart disease, we are not claiming this is in the same league," the lead researcher tells Reuters. But "even after controlling for all those things there is a still a relationship between this very simple measure of tooth brushing and heart condition." (More heart disease stories.)