Flossing falls into the same category as stretching after a workout and washing your water bottle: Everyone agrees it’s a good idea. Most of us are far less consistent than we should be. But what if I told you that the simple act of pulling a little string between your teeth has one of the highest ROI on your overall health routine? (Yes, even more than your cold dip.)
Preventing cavities, keeping your gums healthy, and whitening your teeth are only part of the story. Flossing can also support your heart, your brain, and nearly every other part of your body that benefits from keeping chronic inflammation under control.
Here’s why experts say flossing is tragically underrated — and how to finally do it right.
How often should I floss?
Short answer: Once a day – ideally at night – to clear away dirt accumulated after breakfast. “Daily flossing is the gold standard because it keeps bacteria levels consistently low and gives the gums an opportunity to heal,” says Arthur Glossman, DDSA cosmetic and restorative dentist in Beverly Hills, California. A daily habit gives you the best chance of preventing plaque buildup and keeping inflammation under control.
However, perfection should not be the enemy of progress. “If someone tells me they currently never floss, I would be thrilled if they started flossing three times a week,” he says.
Why do dentists care so much about flossing?
Your toothbrush isn’t pulling as much weight as you think. According to Glossman, it only cleans about 60% of the tooth surface. And flossing doesn’t just mean removing the remains of your turkey sandwich from lunch. The spaces between your teeth are prime real estate for bacteria to grow. Your toothbrush can’t reach there—but floss can.
“If those areas aren’t cleaned, the bacteria organize into plaque,” says Glossman. “Left undisturbed, plaque matures, hardens to become tartar, and causes gum inflammation.” outcome? Cavities and bad breath, for starters. But in more severe cases, gum disease and infection can lead to bone or tooth loss, it says. Jason M. Auerbach, DDSAn oral and maxillofacial surgeon and founder of Riverside Oral Surgery In New Jersey.
Why flossing is beneficial for more than just your mouth?
Researchers used to think that gum disease stayed in the mouth, but we now know that’s far from the whole picture. Your mouth is one of the few places where you can see chronic inflammation unfolding in real time. As Glossman explains, inflammation can cause the gums to bleed, creating an entry point for the bloodstream. Eating and brushing can introduce oral bacteria and inflammatory molecules into the circulation. Over time, that low-grade inflammation can spread far beyond your gums.
Researchers have linked gum disease — which, by the way, affects nearly half of American adults– with everything cardiovascular disease And type 2 diabetes To cognitive decline. Some studies have also found that people who floss regularly may have a lower risk of stroke, dementiaAnd alzheimer’s disease. One 2021 study There’s even evidence showing that flossing may play a role in making diabetes easier to manage.
That said, correlation does not mean causation. “We can’t say that not flossing causes these diseases,” says Auerbach. “But we do know that chronic inflammation is something we should reduce whenever possible — and good oral hygiene, including flossing, is a meaningful way to do that.”
Flossing has benefits not only for your oral health but also for your long-term well-being. “I no longer think of flossing as just preventing gum disease,” says Glossman. “This reduces the long-term inflammatory burden on your entire body.”