Yes—you really do. A toothbrush can only clean the front and back surfaces of the teeth, which is about 50–60% of the plaque in your mouth. The remaining plaque hides between the teeth, and floss is the only way to reach it. If we skip flossing, we’re leaving behind almost half of the bacteria every day.

A common misconception is that flossing is only for removing food. In reality, we floss to remove plaque—a sticky film of bacteria that you usually can’t see. Plaque is what causes bleeding gums, bad breath, cavities, and gum disease.

Think of flossing as daily maintenance, just like showering or washing your hands. It doesn’t have to be done at the same time as brushing; it can be done any time that fits your routine. What matters is consistency. A few minutes a day can prevent problems that are far more difficult and costly to treat later.