Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping one′s mouth clean and free of dental diseases and bad breath by regular brushing of the teeth and also cleaning between the teeth. A new study has found that brushing your teeth at a certain time is associated with better longevity, compared to skipping your oral hygiene routine. Similarly, another study published in the journal of Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology also proposed that maintaining healthy teeth appears to promote survival in older adults. Apart from longevity, oral health indicators have been linked to several general health problems like heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, dementia, and problems during pregnancy.

A study published in the Journal of Aging suggested that good oral health contributes to longevity. The researchers studied the association of dental health behaviors and the arrangement or condition of the teeth on all-cause mortality in 5,611 older adults from 1992 to 2009 and calculated risk estimates in men and women separately. Further, healthy oral hygiene habits such as using dental floss every day and visiting the dentist were also associated with longevity. 

Based on the data collected they proposed that several neglected visits to a dentist within the 1-year increased mortality risk by 30–50 percent when compared to seeing a dentist two or more times. On the other hand, the researchers found that not brushing one’s teeth at night increases mortality risks by 20-35 percent more than brushing every day. Also, neglecting flossing practice during oral care has increased mortality risk by 30 percent, in comparison to flossing every day. 

The researchers found that toothless people had a 30 percent higher risk of death, in comparison to those with 20 plus teeth. Therefore, to maintain a healthy mouth, experts recommend brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, cutting down on sugary foods and drinks, and gargling or rinsing your mouth after every meal. 

(Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/brushing-teeth-at-this-time-of-day-is-linked-to-a-longer-life-says-study/photostory/92522669.cms?picid=92522693 )