Your dentist isn’t the only person who knows that taking care of your teeth and gums can boost your overall health. According to a Reuter’s Health report, new research shows maintaining good oral hygiene may even save you from contracting pneumonia!

Carol W. Bassim, D.M.D., with the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research in Bethesda, Md., said in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society that, “several studies have shown that poor oral hygiene or inadequate oral care are also associated with pneumonia.”

To prove these findings, Bassim and associates studied the impact of enhanced oral hygiene on two groups of elderly patients. One group lived on two wards of a Florida nursing home. The second group lived in two other wards.

The first group of older, more disabled patients received oral hygiene assistance from nurse aides. The members of the second group did not receive assistance with their oral care.

Researchers initially noted no difference in the mortality rate from pneumonia between the two groups. But in comparing the group that received oral care assistance with the group that did not—the risk of dying from pneumonia was more than three times higher for those who did not receive assistance!

Bassim and associates said pneumonia is the leading cause of death in elderly nursing home residents. It is often caused by sucking in saliva or food.

Although the quantity of saliva inhaled may not be changed through improved oral care, they said “this study indicates that oral care may be involved in significantly reducing the harmful quality of the intra-oral environment, reducing the risk of a patient dying from pneumonia.”

To ensure that you don’t create unnecessary health risks for yourself, try making these steps part of your daily routine:

• Brush your teeth regularly—each morning, after meals, and before going to bed at night.
• Devote sufficient time to really getting your teeth clean—at least three to four minutes is recommended for an effective job.
• Use an electric toothbrush—the rapid motion helps remove plaque from your teeth more effectively.
• Floss your teeth after each meal—to remove small food particles that hide in between your teeth and gums.

Adopting these simple steps can help you brighten your smile—and maintain a healthy body!