Flossing belongs to the same category as stretching after a workout and washing your water bottle: Everyone agrees it’s a good idea. Most of us are just way less consistent than we should be. But what if I told you that the simple act of dragging a bit of string between your teeth has one of the highest ROIs on your entire health routine? (Yes, even more than your cold plunge.)

Preventing cavities, keeping your gums healthy, and whitening your teeth is only part of the story. Flossing may also support your heart, your brain, and just about every other part of your body that benefits from keeping chronic inflammation in check.

Here’s why experts say flossing is tragically underrated—and how to finally do it right.

How often should I floss?

The short answer: once a day—ideally at night to clear out the gunk that’s accumulated since breakfast. “Daily flossing is the gold standard because it keeps bacterial levels consistently lower and gives the gums an opportunity to heal,” says Arthur Glosman, DDS, a cosmetic and restorative dentist in Beverly Hills, California. A daily habit gives you the best shot at preventing plaque buildup and keeping inflammation under control.

However, perfection shouldn’t be the enemy of progress. “If someone tells me they currently never floss, I’m thrilled if they begin flossing three times a week,” he says.

Why dentists care so much about flossing

Your toothbrush isn’t pulling as much weight as you think it is. According to Glosman, it cleans only about 60% of the tooth’s surface. And flossing isn’t just about removing the remnants of your turkey sandwich from lunch. The spaces between your teeth are prime real estate for bacteria to thrive. Your toothbrush can’t get there—but floss can.

“If those areas aren’t cleaned, bacteria organize into plaque,” says Glosman. “Left undisturbed, that plaque matures, hardens into tartar, and triggers inflammation in the gums.” The result? Cavities and bad breath, to start. But in more severe cases, gum disease and infection could give way to bone or tooth loss, says Jason M. Auerbach, DDS, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and the founder of Riverside Oral Surgery in New Jersey.

Why flossing benefits more than just your mouth

Researchers used to think gum disease stayed in the mouth, but we now know that’s far from the full picture. Your mouth is one of the few places where you can actually watch chronic inflammation unfold in real time. As Glosman explains, inflammation can cause the gums to bleed, creating an entry point into the bloodstream. Eating and brushing can allow oral bacteria and inflammatory molecules to enter circulation. Over time, that low-grade inflammation may ripple far beyond your gums.

Researchers have linked gum disease—which, by the way, affects nearly half of U.S. adults—with everything from cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes to cognitive decline. Some studies have even found that people who floss consistently may have lower risks of stroke, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. One 2021 study even shows evidence that flossing can play a role in making diabetes easier to manage.

That said, correlation doesn’t mean causation. “We cannot say that failing to floss causes these diseases,” says Auerbach. “But we do know that chronic inflammation is something we should minimize whenever possible—and good oral hygiene, including flossing, is one meaningful way to do that.”

Flossing pays dividends not just for your oral health but also your long-term well-being. “I no longer think of flossing as just preventing gum disease,” says Glosman. “It reduces a chronic inflammatory burden that your entire body has to carry.”