CHICAGO – University of Chicago internist and anesthesiologist Dr. Michael Roizen is making headlines with his RealAge program, which he designed to provide people with a scientifically valid age reduction plan.

You may have read about it, seen him on "Oprah" or "20/20" or even bought his book. And maybe you were surprised that flossing your teeth ranks right up there with taking your vitamins, quitting smoking and reducing stress as one of the top five things you can do to reduce your "RealAge." In fact, keeping your teeth and gums healthy allows you to add 6.4 years to your life, according to Roizen's plan.

"It makes sense," says Dr. Robert Schoor, president of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP). "Periodontal (gum) disease is a bacterial infection of the gums, and that bacteria can travel into the bloodstream and other parts of the body, putting a person's health at risk."

Recent research has found that periodontal infection may contribute to the development of heart disease, diabetes, respiratory diseases and premature, underweight births.

If you want to keep your teeth and gums healthy, and take care of the rest of your body at the same time, it's not quite as simple as regular flossing.