Dental hygiene (looking after your teeth and gums) is good for you. It keeps your teeth healthy, and it can help your brain. New research from the University of South Carolina suggests that flossing your teeth could reduce the risk of having a stroke. A stroke is like a heart attack, but it affects the brain. It happens when blood cannot get to the brain, or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. Around 15 million people worldwide have a stroke each year. Of these, about 5 million die, and 5 million are left disabled. Researcher Dr Souvik Sen said oral diseases, such as tooth decay and gum disease, affect around 3.5 billion people. He said these diseases are the most widespread health problems.

Dr Sen and his team of researchers looked into the effects of flossing on our health. He said: "We aimed to determine which oral hygiene behavior - dental flossing, brushing or regular dentist visits - has the greatest impact on stroke prevention." The team found that flossing teeth at least once a week could lower the risk of different types of stroke by 22 per cent to 44 per cent. Dr Sen said flossing could reduce the risk of stroke "by reducing oral infections". He added that flossing was a cheap and easy way of caring for your teeth and body. He said: "Many people have said that dental care is costly. Flossing is a healthy habit that is easy, affordable and accessible."