Why Flossing Matters: The Evidence Behind the Habit
What Does Flossing Actually Do?
Your toothbrush is brilliant — but it has limits. Flossing cleans between the teeth where brushing simply cannot reach. The goal is to disrupt the formation of dental plaque before it calcifies to form calculus. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
Plaque is a sticky bacterial biofilm that causes gum inflammation
Calculus (hardened plaque) cannot be removed by brushing or flossing — only a dental professional can remove it
If calculus stays in place for a long time, it can cause periodontitis — an inflammatory condition in which gums pull away from the teeth National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
What Does the Research Say?
The evidence around flossing has attracted some controversy over the years, but the clinical picture remains clear:
A 2019 Cochrane review found that the use of dental floss in conjunction with toothbrushing may reduce gingivitis or plaque, or both, compared to toothbrushing alone Adha
A large longitudinal study found that at a 5-year follow-up, the average tooth loss for flossers was approximately 1 tooth, compared to approximately 4 teeth lost for non-flossers PubMed Central
Flossing is a low-risk, low-cost way to clean parts of your teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
Don't Forget Technique
Poor technique reduces flossing's effectiveness. This highlights the importance of technique in performing dental flossing for optimal results — your dental team can help. Adha
Not a fan of traditional floss? Alternatives such as interdental brushes, water flossers, and floss picks are all valid options for cleaning between your teeth.
The Bottom Line
Brushing twice daily is essential — but it only cleans around 60% of tooth surfaces. Flossing reaches the rest. Whether you use traditional floss or an alternative interdental tool, making it a daily habit is one of the simplest investments you can make in your long-term oral health.
Not sure if you're flossing correctly? Book an appointment with us at Whitland Dental Co — we're always happy to help.
References
Marchesan, J. T., Morelli, T., Moss, K., Preisser, J. S., Zandona, A. F., Offenbacher, S., & Beck, J. D. (2020). Flossing is associated with improved oral health in older adults. Journal of Dental Research, 99(9), 1047–1053. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7375740/
Milleman, J., Milleman, K., Clark, C., Gallob, J., John, V., & Proskin, H. M. (2022). Efficacy of flossing and mouthrinsing regimens on plaque and gingivitis: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Dental Hygiene, 96(3), 8–21. https://jdh.adha.org/content/96/3/8
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. (n.d.). Ask the expert: Do I really need to floss? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/gum-disease/ask-the-expert
Springob, M., Milleman, J., & Milleman, K. (2024). Efficacy of flossing and mouth rinsing regimens on plaque and gingivitis: A randomized clinical trial. BMC Oral Health, 24, 185. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12903-024-03924-4
