5 out of 6Those are your odds for receiving a correct diagnosis to a health problem after asking friends about it on Facebook, according to a study published in the Danish Medical Journal. — Virginia I. Pelley

The more solid your relationship with your dentist, the healthier your heart probably is. So says the author of a study

unveiled at the American Heart Association’s scientific meeting in November that concluded that Taiwanese adults

who had their teeth professionally cleaned at least once during a seven-year period were 24 percent less likely to suffer a heart

attack and 13 percent less prone to stroke than dentist-dodgers. And the more often they went, the lower their risk.

To reduce the chance that bacteria will slip into your bloodstream via diseased gums, says Pamela McClain, D.D.S., president of the American Academy of Periodontology, brush

twice daily for two minutes, floss for five, have your teeth cleaned at least once a year and load up on green tea—its

anti-inflammatory properties may reduce the effect of bacteria on your teeth and gums. — Lisa Marshall

heart your toothbrush

stay healthy naturally

Women in their 30s and 40s are lauded for their beauty, fit-ness and confidence more than ever before, writes Jen-nifer Ashton, M.D., co-host of ABC’s The Revolution. But the author wants all women to harness their power to feel and look their best during these decades and beyond, and points out that this really is make-or-

Your Body Beauti-ful: Clockstopping Secrets to Staying Healthy, Strong and Sexy in Your 30s, 40s and Beyond (Avery) By Jennifer Ashton, M.D., OB-GYN

great reads

break time for main-taining the habits that will determine lifelong health and vitality. So she offers step-by-step advice on everything from improving hormonal, heart and bone health to preventing cancer, and includes tips for stress reduction, exercise, natural beauty and a better sex life. By showing readers how to make just one change every four to five weeks, Ashton has created an indis-pensable guide that helps ensure women truly will get better with age. — Lisa Sprung Cohen, contributing editor

smart sip! Packed with B vitamins as well as C, plus electrolytes to keep you hydrated, new Ester-C Effervescent is a refreshing and tasty alternative to your daily vitamin, and only 25 calories per packet. ($18 for 21 packets; americanhealthus.com) — V.I.P.

editor’spick

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