To floss or not to floss, that is the question…
Does using dental floss every day help to prevent gum diseases like periodontitis, and tooth decay?
What did the evidence say?
There is evidence from 12 trials that flossing reduces gum disease. There is also some evidence that flossing in conjunction with tooth brushing may reduce the amount of plaque (a biofilm caused by bacteria) in your mouth.
However, flossing your teeth may not be appropriate for everyone so you should seek the advice of your dentist or hygienist during your next visit.
Source: Cochrane Oral Health
Sambunjak D, Nickerson JW, Poklepovic T, Johnson TM, Imai P, Tugwell P, Worthington HV. Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2011 , Issue 12 . Art. No.: CD008829. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008829.pub2