<p>Your dentist might be nagging you to floss to avoid cavities, but does flossing have more to given than pearly whites?</p><p>Interdental cleaning has been recommended for a while, but for many people it’s a habit hard to maintain.</p><p>Norman and Tegan pick through the history of flossing, and whether it can improve your heart and brain health too.</p><p><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/listen/radionational/win-tickets-to-what-s-that-rash/106335596">Terms and conditions of our World Science Festival Brisbane ticket giveaway! </a></p><p>References:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/gum-disease/ask-the-expert" target="_blank">Ask the Expert: Do I Really Need to Floss? - NIH</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD012018.pub2/full">Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling periodontal diseases and dental caries</a></li><li><a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0022034520916151" target="_blank">Flossing Is Associated with Improved Oral Health in Older Adults</a> </li><li><a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/idh.12546" target="_blank">Does flossing before or after brushing influence the reduction in the plaque index? A systematic review and meta-analysis</a></li><li><a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/gum-disease-and-the-connection-to-heart-disease" target="_blank">Why would cardiovascular disease and poor oral health be connected? - Harvard Health</a> </li><li><a href="https://academic.oup.com/eurjpc/article-abstract/25/6/598/5926482?redirectedFrom=fulltext&amp;login=true" target="_blank">Oral health and later coronary heart disease: Cohort study of one million people</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41415-022-5136-3" target="_blank">Stronger connections made between oral health and Alzheimer's disease</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/large-study-links-gum-disease-dementia" target="_blank">Large study links gum disease with dementia</a> </li><li><a href="https://the-ethos.co/what-dentists-have-to-say-about-red-light-therapy-for-optimal-oral-health/" target="_blank">What Dentists Have to Say About Red-Light Therapy for Optimal Oral Health</a> </li></ul><p>If you enjoyed this episode, check these out!</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/whats-that-rash/toothbrush-sharing-dental-health/104024088">How risky is sharing a toothbrush?</a></li><li><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/whats-that-rash/fragrances-perfumes-health-harms/105915378">Should you be avoiding perfumes and fragrances?</a></li><li><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/whats-that-rash/lymphatic-massage-treatment-lymphede/105502846">Do healthy people need lymphatic treatments?</a></li></ul>