Get our Bad Breath Research Newsletter!

How important is flossing the teeth?

Researchers, for the most part, suggest flossing as a very important addition to toothbrushing. In research carried out here, subjects who said that they floss had much less bad breath (as well as gum disease) as compared with those that said they did not.

It is important to use floss properly, following professional instruction. Remember to floss around the ends of the teeth at the ends of each row.
Children would probably have problems flossing, since it requires a delicate control of the fingers they don't have yet.

One of the great advantages of using floss, is that you can smell the floss directly following each passage between the teeth, and clean the smelly areas more diligently.

Consult your dentist or hygienist for instructions for proper flossing.