India, May 15 -- Brushing your teeth regularly is good for oral hygiene. But did you know that in certain cases, brushing teeth can save lives? If you didn't, you aren't alone.

Hospital-acquired pneumonia is the most common and deadliest infection caught in hospitals, thought to be caused by the inhalation of microbes from the mouth. It is estimated to affect about 1% of hospital patients, whether they use ventilators or not. Some medical studies have recommended using mouthwash with chlorhexidine to reduce these microbes, but it's unclear how well it works. Brushing teeth thoroughly might be a safer and more effective alternative, though it is not typically highlighted in prevention guidelines. As a result, hospital practices on toothbr...