Proper oral hygiene is important for oral health. Minutes after eating plaques start to form on our teeth and bacteria fueled by the carbohydrates from food begin to multiply. If left unchecked they will eventually start degrading tooth surface. Toothbrush is good for removing most of the plaque and bacteria, but it cannot reach the area between the teeth. Those tight spaces can only be reached by a thin thread of dental floss.
Therefore it has been assumed that flossing, along with brushing, is very important, but in fact, the serious scientific evidence in support of the flossing does not exist. There have been only 12 trial comparing flossing to just brushing. According to Cochrane Collaboration review there is a possible small reduction in plaque, but the evidence is weak. There isn't any single long-term study that shows reduction in tooth decay. Flossing does help with gingivitis, but only by 8%.
This doesn't necessarily mean that you should stop flossing, it only means that more studies are needed.
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