*2. Floss Every Day*
That may help keep your arteries healthy. A 2008 New York University
study showed that daily flossing reduced the amount of gum-disease-causing
bacteria in the mouth. This bacteria is thought to enter the bloodstream
and trigger inflammation in the arteries, a major risk factor for heart
disease. Other research has shown that those who have high amounts of
bacteria in their mouth are more likely to have thickening in their
arteries, another sign of heart disease. "I really do think people should
floss twice a day to get the biggest life expectancy benefits," says Perls.