Brushing your teeth could do more than brighten your smile. It may also help you live longer.

Growing research suggests that good oral hygiene is linked to a reduced risk of serious conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

At the annual American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) conference in Arizona last week, a group of researchers explored this evidence, calling the mouth a “gateway to overall health.”

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During the event, “The Mouth as a Gateway to Overall Health,” panelists from medical schools across the U.S. discussed how the mouth was previously viewed as a separate entity from the rest of the body.

“However, researchers now know that the oral cavity and the body are deeply interconnected,” the presentation synopsis states on the AAAS website.

The panelists noted that past research suggests the oral cavity can influence the health of other organs, including the joints, brain and gut, according to Euro News.

Panelist Alpdogan Kantarci, a professor at the University of Minnesota’s School of Dentistry, reportedly said during the event, “We now think that maintaining your teeth in health may be associated with a reduced risk of more than 50 systemic conditions.”

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“Research is now showing that in people with mild or moderate diseases, those who are brushing and taking care of their teeth or seeing a dentist and having advanced cleanings are showing much better cognitive responses,” he added.

The presenters discussed how periodontitis, a severe form of gum disease that worsens with age, affects the bone and tissues supporting the teeth.

The condition leads to “ongoing inflammation and progressive damage,” triggering immune responses and increasing the risk of rheumatoid arthritis and dementia.

Oral health and longevity

Research from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, published in The Lancet, Health Longevity, in 2024, concluded that oral health should be considered an “integral component of the overall healthcare system and an important factor in accessing aging.”

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“Oral health conditions could be potential risk factors for physical frailty or functional disability,” the authors stated. “The importance of oral health for overall well-being and longevity should be emphasized.”

Additional research published in the journal Neurology in 2023 found that people with good dental hygiene had better memory, while gum disease and tooth loss were linked with less gray matter in the brain and reduced decline in mental health.

The role of daily brushing

Dr. Michael J. Wei, a cosmetic and restorative dentist in New York City, confirmed that there are numerous benefits to brushing your teeth more frequently.

“From a preventive health perspective, brushing three times a day helps control the bacterial biofilm that fuels gum disease and chronic inflammation,” he told Fox News Digital. “Inflammation in the mouth does not remain isolated. It can influence cardiovascular health, metabolic function and immune balance.” 

When plaque is disrupted throughout the day, the body’s inflammatory triggers are reduced, Wei said.

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“Over time, lowering that burden may contribute to healthier aging and a reduced risk of systemic disease,” he said. “Small, disciplined daily habits often have the greatest long-term impact.”

Although maintaining proper oral health is not a “guaranteed safeguard” against dementia, Wei considers it “one meaningful way to reduce modifiable risk factors.” 

Consistently brushing, flossing, getting routine dental cleanings and addressing issues like grinding or jaw tension “all contribute to lowering inflammation and preventing long-term damage,” he added.

Technique matters

Brushing too much or too aggressively can lead to different complications, experts caution.

“Brushing too aggressively or using a hard-bristled toothbrush can lead to enamel wear, gum recession and tooth sensitivity,” Wei warned. “The balance comes down to frequency paired with proper technique, using a soft-bristled or electric toothbrush and gentle, controlled movements.” 

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Dr. Richard Lipari, a cosmetic and general dentist at Lipari & Mangiameli Dentistry in Chappaqua, New York, agreed that brushing teeth twice a day for two minutes with a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle pressure is sufficient for proper hygiene and oral health. 

“Brushing a third time per day is fine as long as it’s done gently and correctly,” he told Fox News Digital. “Think of it as massaging the teeth and gums, not scrubbing them.”

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Dr. Luis R. Dominicis Jr., associated vice president of dental services at AltaMed Health Services in California, recommends scheduling a routine dental checkup and asking about the proper way to brush and floss.

“Ask which toothbrush and toothpaste are best for you and whether there are signs of gum recession or enamel wear,” he advised in an interview with Fox News Digital. “Following your recommended treatment plan can help you maintain a healthy mouth and support your overall well-being.”

Some surveys find that about 75% of U.S. adults have used supplements, while federal survey data shows that 58% used one in the past 30 days — but some groups should exercise caution, experts say.

There are many different supplements — including vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids and probiotics — designed to fill nutrient gaps and support overall wellness. Some target specific functions, such as immune support, muscle recovery and bone health, according to multiple medical sources.

Unlike prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications, supplements usually aren’t FDA-approved before they are marketed, but the FDA does regulate them and can take action against unsafe or misbranded products.

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For people with diabetes, the following supplements could pose serious health risks, as they can affect blood glucose levels or interact with medications, per the National Institutes of Health.

St. John’s Wort

Dawn Menning, a California-based registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist with Nutu, a healthy lifestyle app, says people with diabetes should avoid taking St. John’s Wort as a supplement. 

Primarily touted as a natural remedy for mild to moderate depression, St. John’s Wort could have additional benefits for anxiety, sleep issues, and menopausal or PMS-related symptoms.

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“This herbal remedy can interfere with many diabetes medications by affecting the way the body breaks them down,” Menning told Fox News Digital. “This can make medications less effective and blood sugar management more difficult.”

Chromium

This supplement is often marketed for its ability to improve blood sugar regulation in people with type 2 diabetes, Menning noted, but there is limited evidence and the research is “mixed.”

“Taking this supplement with insulin or oral diabetes medications may increase the risk of hypoglycemia,” she cautioned. This condition can increase the risk of dizziness, fatigue and fainting, according to Healthline.

Bitter melon supplements 

These are often taken to help with reducing blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, Menning noted.

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“It contains compounds such as polypeptide-p, which may act like insulin,” she said. “Taking this with diabetes medications could increase the risk of hypoglycemia.”

Niacin (vitamin B3)

This supplement is sometimes used to help manage cholesterol levels — but in people with diabetes, it may also raise blood sugar levels, increasing the risk of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).

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“I would caution against using high-dose niacin supplements because it can noticeably raise blood sugar levels and make it harder to keep A1c in an optimal range,” Michelle Routhenstein, preventive cardiology dietitian at EntirelyNourished.com in New York, told Fox News Digital.

Ginseng

Asian ginseng has been linked to a boost in energy, focus and immune system health. It also contains antioxidants, which can provide cellular protection, according to Cleveland Clinic.

While it has also been linked to improved cardiometabolic factors for those with prediabetes and diabetes, some evidence suggests that ginseng could lower blood sugar levels when combined with diabetes medications.

Β-carotene

This supplement is primarily used as an antioxidant and a source of vitamin A to support vision, immune function, and overall eye and skin health.

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“The American Diabetes Association recommends against β-carotene supplementation for people with diabetes because of its association with increased lung cancer and cardiovascular mortality risk,” Jordan Hill, a registered dietitian with Top Nutrition Coaching in Colorado, told Fox News Digital. 

High-dose cinnamon (Cassia cinnamon)

Cinnamon is often promoted as a supplement for diabetes management and weight loss, as some research has shown it can help to reduce blood sugar and lower insulin resistance.

However, consuming large amounts of cinnamon can enhance the effects of diabetes and cause blood sugar levels to fall too low, which can cause hypoglycemia, Healthline warns.

Cinnamon also includes a compound called coumarin, which can cause liver damage if consumed in large amounts.

Niacin (high-dose vitamin B3)

This supplement can help to promote healthy digestion, skin and nervous system function, according to Mayo Clinic.

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High doses of nicotinic acid (a form of niacin) can raise blood sugar levels and interfere with the effectiveness of diabetes medications, warns the National Institutes of Health.

“These doses can even raise blood sugar levels in people who don’t have diabetes,” the NIH states.

Aloe vera

Oral aloe vera is often promoted for diabetes, weight loss and inflammatory bowel disease.

However, when paired with diabetes medications, it could cause blood sugar levels to dip and increase the risk of hypoglycemia with medications, according to the National Institutes of Health. It can also cause gastrointestinal side effects.

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For most supplements, Menning noted, “there isn’t evidence to support a beneficial effect on diabetes or its complications.”

“The primary concern with most supplements is not direct harm, but rather the lack of regulatory oversight.”

The American Diabetes Standards of Care state: “Without underlying deficiency, there are no benefits from herbal or nonherbal (i.e., vitamin or mineral) supplementation for people with diabetes.”

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinology advises caution with all unregulated nutritional supplements due to “inconsistent composition, quality and potential for harm,” Hill said.

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“The primary concern with most supplements is not direct harm, but rather the lack of regulatory oversight,” he told Fox News Digital.

Experts recommend speaking with a doctor before starting any supplement to understand how it could affect blood sugar levels, medications or overall diabetes management.

A newly discovered virus hiding inside common gut bacteria may be linked to colorectal cancer, according to new research.

Scientists in Denmark found that colorectal cancer patients were about twice as likely to carry a previously unidentified virus within Bacteroides fragilis, a bacterium that normally lives in the human gut, according to the study published in Communications Medicine earlier this month.

Researchers say the discovery could help scientists better understand the role of the gut microbiome in cancer development.

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“These findings highlight the importance of the microorganisms in the gut and their relation to our health,” Dr. Flemming Damgaard, PhD, of the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Odense University Hospital and the University of Southern Denmark, told Fox News Digital. “If we want to understand the full picture, we need to look deep into their genetic material.”

Doctors have known for years that Bacteroides fragilis shows up more often in people with colorectal cancer, which includes cancers of the colon and rectum, but since most healthy people also carry the bacteria, it wasn’t clear why it would be harmful in some cases and not others.

So researchers looked at subtle genetic differences within the bacteria and uncovered something unexpected.

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“We were very surprised to find a whole virus inside the bacteria from the colorectal cancer patients,” Damgaard said. “That was not something we expected when we started our study.”

The virus, known as a bacteriophage, infects bacteria rather than human cells. According to the researchers, the viral type they identified had not previously been documented.

When the team analyzed stool samples from 877 individuals across Europe, the United States and Asia, they found that colorectal cancer patients were approximately twice as likely to carry traces of the virus compared to people without cancer.

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The findings show a strong statistical association, but researchers stress that the study does not prove the virus causes colorectal cancer, and it is too early to draw immediate conclusions.

“The major limitation is that we still don’t know why the virus is linked to colorectal cancer,” said co-author Ulrik Stenz Justesen. “But we are already continuing our research.”

The team is now conducting laboratory experiments and animal studies to determine whether the virus alters the bacterium’s behavior in a way that could influence cancer development.

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Studies have found that the human body contains roughly as many microbial cells as human cells, underscoring how deeply microbes are intertwined with human health.

“Our understanding of [microbial cells] is still in its infancy,” Damgaard said. “There are many health-related discoveries to be made in the human microbiota.”

Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. Several high-profile celebrity deaths, including James Van Der Beek, Catherine O’Hara, Kirstie Alley, Pelé and Chadwick Boseman, have drawn attention to colorectal cancer’s impact across age groups in recent years.

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While much of colorectal cancer risk is tied to diet and lifestyle, researchers think the bacteria in our gut may also play an important role.

Currently, colorectal cancer screening includes stool tests that check for blood that isn’t visible to the naked eye, as well as colonoscopies. Researchers say that in the future, it may be possible to test stool samples for viral markers like those identified in the study.

Researchers pointed to cervical cancer as an example of how identifying a viral cause can help prevention efforts. After HPV was linked to cervical cancer, vaccines helped drive down new cases. 

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While it’s too early to make that comparison, they said colorectal cancer could one day follow a similar path if a clear viral role is confirmed.

“It is too early to act,” Damgaard said. “We have a lot of hope, and that is what we want people to have at this point.”

Fox News Digital’s Melissa Rudy contributed reporting.