Although we all understand the importance of flossing to our dental hygiene, thanks largely to dentists badgering us every time we have a check-up, until yesterday we were happily unaware that it increased a woman’s fertility — and not simply because bad breath has never encouraged the procreative process.
Is there no end to the benefits of rubbing a thin ribbon of nylon or plastic (waxing optional) between your teeth? Not judging from recent stories, which, among other things, have proclaimed that it could “save you from a stroke”, “reduce dementia risk”, “save your self-esteem, life and marriage”, “help you lose fat” and “save you money”.
And if you can’t be bothered to use it on your teeth, the internet is crammed with suggested uses for your spare floss, including removing a stuck ring from your finger, emergency shoelaces, lifting food from a baking sheet, stringing beads or wind chimes, separating photographs that are stuck together, slicing soft food, replacement fishing line, a stand-in for a hair scrunchie, a support for climbing plants, a washing line ... and a means of hanging Christmas decorations.