Brushing your teeth can keep you healthy during flu season

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Story Published: Nov 19, 2009 at 4:40 PM MST

Story Updated: Nov 19, 2009 at 6:46 PM MST

By Wes Horrocks

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POCATELLO - We all know that it's important to wash our hands and cover our coughs especially during flu season, but those aren't the only ways to keep yourself healthy.

While its not always a favorite destination, paying a visit to the dentist can actually have an impact on your overall health. Dr. Corey Snow, D.D.S., a Pocatello Dentist said, "A healthy mouth is a healthy person, usually."

To avoid getting sick you wash your hands to eliminate germs, but you already have 400 different bacteria living in your mouth.

If you forget to keep it clean you could end up facing some serious problems. Snow said, "It's important because of the links to systemic disease, heart disease, also links to diabetes."

Research has also found an association between periodontal disease and bacterial pneumonia.

To avoid problems the American Dental association recommends you develop good oral hygiene.

That includes brushing your teeth twice a day, and replacing your toothbrush every three or four months.

But it's not just brushing that's important. Flossing will actually help remove the bacteria between your teeth, and it only takes 24 hours for that bacteria to start turning to disease. "That's why when people haven't flossed for a while, when they do floss there is bleeding, because the gums are inflamed and there is a disease process there," said Snow.

You should also visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings, because no matter how diligent you are at home you can't always take care of everything. Snow said, "The health in their mouth affects their overall well being."

There is no clear connection between cleaning your teeth and getting a cold or the flu, but some professionals argue that as you brush and eliminate some the bacteria in your mouth it will boost your immune system.

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