Dental health organisations in the US and UK are to review flossing recommendations after investigations found there is no proof that it prevents gum disease. The UK's National Health Service will review guidance on flossing teeth after health officials in the US dropped the recommendation, admitting there is no scientific evidence to show it works.But local experts have rejected the reports. Andre van Zyl, the University of Pretoria's head of periodontics and oral medicine, said: "Common sense and anecdotal evidence has to rule here - the irresponsible statement that flossing does not work is insanity and will do irreparable damage."Most dentists advise regular flossing to keep teeth healthy.But advisers at the British Dental Association say it is largely ineffective and instead recommend "inter-dental" brushes, which are small enough to clean in any gaps between teeth.The Daily Telegraph reported that Professor Damien Walmsley, the British Dental Association's scientific adviser, said flossing was "of little value", claiming: "Small inter-dental brushes are preferable for cleaning the area in between the teeth."Van Zyl said it was "impossible" to use an inter-dental brush on healthy teeth and that the only other option was to floss. He warned that not flossing would lead to gum disease.Nirvada Niranjan of the SA Dental Association said: "To make a blanket statement saying that flossing doesn't make a difference is not accurate."..