Flossing
Never floss with a stranger - Joan Rivers
image by: Roy York Dentistry
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Do You Actually Need to Floss?
Three years ago, the Associated Press published an article that appeared to discredit something most of us are told twice a year by our dentists. The article looked at 25 studies on flossing and determined they pretty much all failed to find solid scientific evidence that flossing provides any benefits over brushing alone. In other words, flossing isn’t essential.
It was the shot heard round the dental hygiene world. About two-thirds of Americans claim to floss in general and a bit less than half of them do it daily, according to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control survey. The remaining one-third likely feel guilty that they don’t, at least after visiting the dentist.
But do…
Resources
Do I need to floss my teeth?
A review of the research on this topic found flossing, combined with regular brushing, reduced the chance of bleeding gums. But the review could not provide evidence flossing prevented holes (tooth cavities) from forming. This is likely because all of the included studies were conducted within one to three month periods. A few months is long enough to detect bleeding gums, but not for cavities to grow substantially. So studies in the review looked at the effectiveness of flossing on preventing gum disease rather than cavities.
If You Hate Floss, It’s O.K. to Try These Alternatives
Experts with the A.D.A. and the C.D.C. told us five things to try if you hate regular floss — and what you should avoid.
The flossing flap: Mind your dentist, and floss every night
“To floss or not to floss?” has become a big question in the past week. News reports have conflicted, leading to confusion.
A Brief History of Dental Floss
Some web sites claim a prehistoric origin for dental floss. But in the modern era, credit goes to New Orleans dentist Levi Spear Parmly, who promulgated the notion of flossing one's teeth with silk thread in his 1819 book A Practical Guide to the Management of the Teeth.
Dentists Say You Need to Floss. Science Says You Don't.
One plausible explanation for the dearth of supporting evidence for flossing is that we're all doing it incorrectly. Most flossers simply insert the string in between their teeth, yank out a few bits of food, and assume they're done. They're not.
Feeling Guilty About Not Flossing? Maybe There’s No Need
For decades, the federal government — not to mention your dentist — has insisted that daily flossing is necessary to prevent cavities and gums so diseased that your teeth fall out. Turns out, all that flossing may be overrated.
Flossing may not work—whaaaat?
And without getting into all the gristle-y details, doesn’t it make common sense to clean between your teeth? So while you’re waiting for new research, hedge your bets and keep the floss.
Hey Sorry Everyone but You Should Probably Keep Flossing
So why keep propagating the myth? Why force the public to stick their hands in their mouths? Well, because while the effectiveness of flossing isn’t proven, it’s also not disproven, at least not yet. Scientists are still gathering string—and it’s proving difficult.
How to Be a Better Flosser
You cannot get in between the teeth well with anything other than floss. Your mouth gets a lot of bacteria on various surfaces, which can recolonize clean areas. So while mouth washes are great for killing remnant bacteria on all surfaces, you have to get between the teeth with the ancient invention called floss to really reach every spot.
I’m a doctor who lost a tooth because I didn’t floss enough. We should all keep flossing
Oral health is actually a significant public health challenge, not just here in America but across the world — if for no other reason than the simple fact that tooth decay and subsequent tooth loss negatively impacts overall quality of life. And so this is a case where the burden of proof must be forgiven: The potential benefits of flossing are clear, and the risks are few.
One-Fourth of Americans Lie to Dentists about Flossing
More than a quarter of Americans lie about it, and 36 percent say they would rather do an unpleasant activity like cleaning the toilet or working on their taxes.
Sorry Haters, But You Can’t Stop Flossing Your Teeth Just Yet
ADA spokesperson Dr. Matthew Messina acknowledged the poor quality of the research supporting dental floss; however, he maintains that flossing is still an effective way to remove food from between the teeth.
String of Lies
Our confusion over dental floss is the result of years of biased research, thanks to the war between floss and mouthwash.
The Different Types of Dental Floss
To start, there are generally two different types: multifilament floss (like nylon floss or silk floss), and monofilament floss (aka single filament), which are generally made of a type of rubber, plastic, or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
Tie Floss in a Loop to Make Flossing Easier
Flossing isn't terribly hard, but if you find yourself annoyed by wrapping the floss around your fingers and stuffing your hand in your mouth then Redditor Simonific shares a simple loop method that make flossing easier.
What is the Best Kind of Dental Floss?
Buy some unwaxed Woven Floss at your pharmacy. Don't be fooled by look-alikes, the real woven floss is a lot like yarn and is fairly thick compared to ribbon type floss.
Will My Teeth Fall Out if I Never Floss?
Some experts argue there's no evidence to back up the benefits.
Do You Actually Need to Floss?
The research is weak and misleading, yet dentists are adamant. So where does that leave us?
GetFloss
Getfloss delivers high quality oral hygiene products conveniently to your door in 1, 2 or 3 month intervals.
Mouth Healthy
The American Dental Association recommends cleaning between your teeth once a day. This is important because plaque that is not removed by brushing and flossing can eventually harden into calculus or tartar. Flossing may also help prevent gum disease and cavities.
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