Heart Beat: January 2012

Regular teeth cleanings by a dentist or dental hygienist can reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in November, 2011. The study included more than 100,000 adults, none of whom had a history of heart attack or stroke at the start of the study. Half of the participants had regular dental cleanings (at least twice in two years) and about half had a professional teeth cleaning one time or not at all in two years.