Can flossing benefit more than your teeth?

Can flossing benefit more than your teeth?

From What's That Rash? by ABC Australia

February 17, 2026 · 20 min

About this episode

The episode explores the benefits of flossing beyond dental health, including its potential impact on heart and brain health.

Your dentist might be nagging you to floss to avoid cavities, but does flossing have more to given than pearly whites? Interdental cleaning has been recommended for a while, but for many people it’s a habit hard to maintain. Norman and Tegan pick through the history of flossing, and whether it can improve your heart and brain health too. Terms and conditions of our World Science Festival Brisbane ticket giveaway! References: Ask the Expert: Do I Really Need to Floss? - NIH Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling periodontal diseases and dental caries Flossing Is Associated with Improved Oral Health in Older Adults Does flossing before or after brushing influence the reduction in the plaque index? A systematic review and meta-analysis Why would cardiovascular disease and poor oral health be connected? - Harvard Health Oral health and later coronary heart disease: Cohort study of one million people Stronger connections made between oral health and Alzheimer's disease Large study links gum disease with dementia What Dentists Have to Say About Red-Light Therapy for Optimal Oral Health If you enjoyed this episode, check…

People in this episode

Hosts: Norman, Tegan

Topics covered

  • flossing
  • oral health
  • heart health
  • brain health
  • dental care

Keywords

  • flossing
  • oral health
  • heart health
  • brain health
  • dental care
  • interdental cleaning
  • cavities

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: NIH, Harvard Health, World Science Festival Brisbane

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