Brushing your teeth twice a day is something many people do without even thinking about it. It’s part of a morning and nighttime routine, like washing your face or making the bed. But flossing? That’s a habit that tends to get ignored or pushed aside. You might forget, skip it when you’re tired, or think brushing is “good enough.” But here’s the truth: brushing alone doesn’t fully protect your teeth or gums.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), flossing is not just a bonus; it’s a critical part of your oral hygiene routine. Without it, you’re missing nearly half the surface area of your teeth.

Let’s break down what flossing actually does, why it matters for your mouth and your body, and how making it a daily habit can make a huge difference in the long run.

What Flossing Really Does (and Why Brushing Isn’t Enough)

Brushing your teeth is great for cleaning the visible surfaces: the front, back, and tops of your teeth. But what about the tight spaces in between? That’s where food particles and plaque love to hide. And your toothbrush can’t get in there.

That’s where flossing comes in.

Dental floss slides between your teeth and under the gumline, removing debris and bacteria that brushing leaves behind. It prevents plaque buildup, which, if not removed, can harden into tartar. Tartar can’t be brushed away and needs to be removed by a dentist or hygienist during a cleaning.

If plaque and tartar are left untreated, they can cause inflammation and infection in the gums, which leads to the next big issue: gum disease.

Flossing Helps Stop Gum Disease Before It Starts

When plaque is allowed to build up along the gumline, it irritates the gums and leads to gingivitis – the first stage of gum disease. You might notice bleeding when you brush or floss, or your gums might look swollen or red. This is your body’s way of telling you something’s wrong.

The good news is gingivitis is reversible with proper brushing and flossing. But if it’s ignored, it can advance to periodontitis, a much more serious condition. Periodontitis can cause your gums to pull away from your teeth, form pockets that collect bacteria, and eventually lead to bone loss and loose or missing teeth.

And gum disease isn’t just a mouth issue; it can affect the rest of your body, too.

The Mouth-Body Connection: It’s Bigger Than You Think

You might not think your gums have much to do with your heart or your blood sugar, but they actually do. There’s a growing body of research linking oral health to systemic health conditions like:

• Heart disease
  • Inflammation caused by gum disease may increase the risk of heart problems. Bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream and contribute to clogged arteries.
• Diabetes
  • People with diabetes are more likely to develop gum disease, and gum inflammation can make blood sugar harder to control.
• Respiratory illness
  • Infections in the mouth can travel to the lungs, especially in older adults or those with weakened immune systems.
• Pregnancy complications
  • Gum disease has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight.

It all comes back to inflammation and bacteria. Keeping your mouth clean (by flossing every day) can help reduce the overall inflammation in your body and lower your risk for these serious health concerns.

Brushing and Flossing Are Partners, Not Substitutes

You wouldn’t only wash one hand and leave the other dirty, right? The same idea applies to your teeth. Brushing is essential, but it doesn’t clean the entire surface of your teeth.

In fact, brushing only reaches about 60% of your tooth surfaces. That means if you skip flossing, you’re leaving 40% of your mouth vulnerable to plaque buildup and decay.

Together, brushing and flossing create a complete cleaning system: 

• Brushing = cleans tooth surfaces and freshens breath 
• Flossing = clears debris and bacteria from between the teeth and under the gums

They work best as a team, and skipping one makes the other less effective.

Flossing Is Quick, Easy, and Totally Worth It

One of the biggest myths about flossing is that it takes too much time. But realistically, it takes less than two minutes, and once it’s part of your routine, it becomes second nature.

Here are a few tips to make it easier to stick with:

• Keep floss visible, next to your toothbrush or sink, so you remember.
• Try floss picks or water flossers if string floss is tricky for you.
• Floss while watching TV or listening to a podcast. It doesn’t have to be done in front of the mirror every time!
• If your gums bleed at first, don’t be discouraged. That’s usually a sign they need more care. Stick with it, and bleeding should stop as your gums get healthier.

The Bottom Line: Flossing Isn’t Optional, It’s Essential

Flossing once a day is one of the simplest, most effective ways to protect your smile. It prevents gum disease, reduces plaque, supports your overall health, and works hand-in-hand with brushing to keep your teeth and gums in top shape.

It may seem small, but this one habit can save you from costly dental procedures, painful infections, and health risks down the road.

So if flossing hasn’t been part of your routine yet, now’s the perfect time to start. Your mouth (and your whole body) will thank you.

Source: 

American Dental Association. Flossing. MouthHealthy, https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/flossing.