AP recently created a hubbub by claiming that the effectiveness of daily flossing hasn’t been solidified by research.

It all started with a document the USDA releases every five years that is filled with research-backed health advice, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. AP noticed that in 2015’s dietary guidelines, flossing had been quietly removed. AP reached out to the US government, which admitted that the effectiveness of flossing was not adequately researched.

But not so fast!

The American Dental Association (ADA), and Dr. Alrez, maintain that cleaning between teeth is important. Using floss is a sure-fire way to disrupt and remove plaque. Forty percent of your teeth’s surface is located in between the teeth, so flossing is a necessary step for removing bacteria. In order to keep your teeth and gums healthy, you need to clean 100, not just 60 percent of them!

While dental experts have acknowledged that the research that supports flossing is inadequate and outdated, they add that the research oversight is due to flossing being so obviously necessary, an updated study on its effectiveness would be a waste of resources.

As put by ADA spokesperson, Dr. Matthew Messina, “Nobody’s done a study to say using a parachute jumping out of an airplane is safer than not using a parachute. I’m still going to use a parachute, because we just know that that’s going to work.”

Flossing prevents cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. So keep flossing every day, and your teeth will thank you!