Research has found that people who brush their teeth less than twice a day are "70% more likely to develop heart disease."
The findings are published in the British Medical Journal and were reported by many news organisations but, as usual, some were less careful than others about how they reported this "connection".
The researchers actually interviewed people about a variety of lifestyle behaviours. It is not clear why the press focussed on oral hygiene.
Most importantly, the researchers are not claiming that brushing teeth twice a day can prevent heart disease, or that not doing so can increase the risk.
The Telegraph's report was one of many which was misleading:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7771698/Brush-teeth-twice-a-day-to-prevent-heart-disease.html
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