But consider the 'unless', and be wary of the possible harm

Flossing teeth does little good, investigation reveals as US removes recommendation from health advice

Professor Damien Walmsley, the British Dental Association’s  scientific adviser confirmed floss can be ‘of little value’.

He said: “Small inter-dental brushes are preferable for cleaning the area in between the teeth, where there is space to do so.

"Floss is of little value unless the spaces between your teeth are too tight for the inter-dental brushes to fit without hurting or causing harm.

“It's important to tell people to do the basics. Flossing is not part of the basics."

Dentist Levi Spear Parmly is credited with inventing floss in the early 19th century. 

By the time the first floss patent was issued, in 1874, the applicant noted that dentists were widely recommending its use.

But careless flossing can damage gums, teeth and dental work. 

Though frequency is unclear, floss can dislodge bad bacteria that invade the bloodstream and cause dangerous infections, especially in people with weak immunity, according to the medical literature.