Does brushing teeth with floss make a difference?

Although there is little evidence in either case, that doesn't mean we should stop brushing.

For years, dentists have told us to floss our teeth. And it makes sense: the solvents between our teeth should do less wear. But surprisingly, there is little evidence that this is true, as it was never tested in a large clinical trial.

Some studies have found that flossing helps fight gum disease, but there is no convincing evidence that it prevents tooth decay. Does this mean that it does not make sense? Absolutely. First, gum disease is a major cause of tooth loss. And second, just because researchers haven't done a proper study, it doesn't mean that flossing doesn't also prevent tooth decay: the absence of evidence doesn't mean there is no effect.