As tedious and grueling as flossing can be, it is incredibly important for your oral health. In an article by Healthline, it actually says that if you had to choose between skipping brushing or flossing, it would be brushing your teeth. By flossing and brushing your teeth, if done right, you remove plaque buildup from food. “Plaque consists of active colonies of destructive bacteria, which basically eat and then excrete on our teeth. Brushing only removes plaque from the front and back surfaces of your teeth,” says Ann Laurent, a Doctor of Dental Surgery at  Dr. Ann Laurent’s Dental Artistry in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Flossing allows the removal of plaque in places your toothbrush can’t reach: between your teeth and under your gums. Also, flossing will save you from gum diseases like gingivitis, which gives you inflamed gums, and periodontitis, which damages your gums and can wreak havoc on your jawbone. For a small flossing tutorial, click here.