Plaque is a film of bacteria that forms on your teeth naturally. If you lack good oral hygiene habits — like flossing — it can build up, leading to cavities and discolored teeth. Hardened plaque is known as tartar, and it can’t be flossed away. It must be removed by a dentist or hygienist.
“Plaque removal is undoubtedly the main benefit of flossing for maintaining overall oral and general health,” says Danesh Bagga, BDS, lead dentist at Aspire Smiles in Warwick, United Kingdom.
Plaque also encourages bacteria to feed on sugars from your diet and releases acid, which can harm your teeth, says Carly Cassleman, DDS, owner of St. Clair Tooth Co. in St. Clair Shores, Michigan.
“These acids slowly dissolve enamel, creating weak spots that can turn into cavities,” she says.
2. Leads to Healthier Gums
Tartar can also contribute to gum disease if not treated. A review of studies, which investigated the effectiveness of several dental cleaning tools, such as flossing, wooden cleaning sticks, and water devices, found that brushing along with one of those options reduced plaque more than toothbrushing alone.
Toothpicks are an easy way to remove food debris between flossings, and water flossers, also known as original irrigators or a dental water jet, are another way to help keep your gums and mouth healthy.
“By targeting these hidden areas, flossing helps prevent plaque buildup, which is the main cause of gum inflammation, bleeding, and gum disease,” says Bagga.
3. Contributes to Fresher Breath
Food particles that are lodged in between your teeth encourage bacterial growth in your mouth, which can create an unpleasant and unwelcome odor.
“Certain bacteria thrive in the low-oxygen environments between teeth and beneath the gums,” Dr. Cassleman says. “These organisms break down proteins into amino acids and then release volatile sulfur compounds (like hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan), which are the primary drivers of halitosis [or bad breath].”
Regular flossing, along with brushing and routine dental cleanings, can keep your breath from announcing your arrival from afar.
“By removing plaque and food debris, flossing disrupts these bacterial colonies and reduces bad breath at its microbial source — rather than just masking it,” Cassleman says.
4. Supports Immune Health
Flossing can also reduce inflammation, which is the immune system’s response to injury or illness, in the mouth as well as the rest of the body. Bagga says that the connection between flossing and immune health is still being researched, but the plaque buildup from not flossing can lead to inflammation in the gums. That harmful oral bacteria and its toxins can also enter the bloodstream, where it can trigger inflammation in other parts of the body.
Regular flossing can help reduce this inflammation and has been associated with lower levels of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive proteins.
“You’re trying to keep the oral microbiome as healthy as possible, so it does not impact or negatively affect the rest of your body,” says Lisa Creaven, DDS, chief executive officer and cofounder of the oral care company Made By Dentists, based in Galway, Ireland.
5. May Support Heart Health
Flossing and cardiovascular health are also related, as gum disease has been shown to increase the risk of heart disease. Poor dental health can cause infections that form arterial plaques, which are hardened arteries that can limit blood flow.
“Oral bacteria, particularly viridans group streptococci, has been found in blood clots from patients with ischemic stroke and heart attacks,” Cassleman says.
One recent study involving 6,300 people found that flossing just once a week may lower the risk of certain types of stroke as well as lower the risk of the heart rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation. Researchers aren’t certain why flossing has this effect, but they suspect it stems from flossing’s ability to lower inflammation in the body.
Don’t just stop at once a week: Flossing more often than once a week led to a greater risk reduction.
6. May Promote Better Blood Sugar Control
Poor oral health and gum disease have also been linked with an increased risk of diabetes. Gum disease can interfere with blood sugar control, leading to insulin resistance, which is a condition where excess sugar can build up in the blood.
“Periodontal disease can make it more difficult to control blood sugar levels, and conversely, diabetes can exacerbate gum disease,” Cassleman says.
One study found that people with diabetes who flossed at least once a week had A1C levels that were nearly 1 percent lower than those who didn’t floss. The researchers noted that such a change can make a big difference in the health, quality of life, and survival of those with diabetes. This effect may be due to preventative oral care lowering inflammation, which then benefits insulin resistance.
7. May Improve Outcomes for Alzheimer’s Patients
Gingivitis, which is early-stage gum disease, may be connected with Alzheimer’s disease. The bacteria associated with gingivitis (Porphyromonas gingivalis) can travel from the mouth to the brain. Once there, it may release enzymes that damage nerve cells, which can eventually negatively impact memory and potentially lead to Alzheimer’s.
One study found that promoting good oral health habits, including flossing, among people with mild Alzheimer’s helped slow cognitive decline.
