When flossing was scraped from the list when it was republished in 2015, the AP started to ask questions.
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Incredibly, reviewing studies that compared the effectiveness of using floss and brushing teeth to only brushing, the AP found most evidence was “weak” or “very low” that floss helps get rid of plaque. She said that whether the science supports flossing or not, dentists see firsthand that it works.
The findings fly in the face of accepted wisdom on dental health.
The government’s latest dietary guidelines do not include a recommendation to floss, a first since the US first suggested flossing in 1979. Why?
The latest dietary guidelines, issued by the Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services, quietly dropped any mention of flossing without notice, the Times said. In a letter to the AP, the government acknowledged the effectiveness of flossing had never been researched, as required. Such research, like the reviewed studies, focused on warning signs like bleeding and inflammation, barely dealing with gum disease or cavities.
Many of Towfighi’s patients are incorrectly flossing and that can result in negative results.
He also reminds his patients not to floss in a sawing motion and to move up and down on the sides of the teeth instead.
The American Academy of Periodontology agrees. It also said there was “weak, very unreliable evidence” from 10 of those studies that flossing could help reduce plaque after one or three months, and that none of the studies could prove flossing prevents tooth decay. Plaque is the main cause of gum disease.
“Having practiced for 30 years, I disagree with most of what I read this morning”, said Dr. James Tauschek, dentist and owner at Maple Grove Dental. “Brushing only cleans 80% of the bacteria out of your mouth the other 20% which is linked to gum disease can only be removed through flossing”.
Floss manufacturers partner with the ADA through its Seal of Acceptance program.
Now in the U.S., studies which evaluate the benefits of flossing can be funded and directed by flossing manufacturers. The AP may have saved you 30 seconds in the evenings, but you’ll never look at your parents the same way again. However, floss companies themselves are allowed to design the studies.
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“Periodontal disease is a gum disease which is an infection”.
