1 . Your dentist has probably been telling you to floss for years.     1     36% of Americans would rather do something unpleasant, like clean the toilet, than put string between their teeth.

That’s why many cheered at a news report that flossing might not be necessary. The Associated Press reviewed 25 studies and concluded that flossing didn’t have proven health benefits. Should you throw away your floss? Not so fast.    2    

One review of 12 studies found that people who brushed and flossed regularly were less likely to have bleeding gums.     3     Gum disease, left untreated, can lead to shrinking gums and tooth loss. It is also linked to heart disease, and many other health conditions. “Your mouth is a mirror for the rest of your body,’ experts say.

    4     Some think more bacteria left in your mouth end up in your bloodstream, where they may contribute to inflammation in other areas, like your heart. What experts do know is that people who don’t have gum disease are less likely to have health problems like heart disease.

In fact, many dentists say the reason they recommend flossing isn’t because of research.     5     “In my practice, it’s clear that people who floss daily have healthier gums and keep their teeth longer,” a dentist says. It takes less than a minute, and there’s literally no downside to doing it. But if you skip it, sooner or later you—and your dentist—will notice a difference.