A leading British dentist has said there is only “weak evidence” that flossing prevents gum disease and cavities – despite it being recommended by most in the profession. Eventually, the agencies admitted that flossing had never been properly researched, and the recommendation to floss was quietly removed from the latest health advice.
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One recent study suggested some evidence that flossing may help with gum inflammation, but that the benefits might not be enough for the user to notice a change. Even before that, the American Dental Association has been endorsing flossing, Their enforcement began in 1908.
Wayne Aldredge, president of the American Academy of Periodontology, acknowledged the weak scientific evidence. There isn’t much evidence showing it’s bad-there’s just not much showing it’s particularly good either. The request was sent to the departments of Health and Human services and Agriculture.
Flossing has quietly lost its place among recommendations for daily health, as least as prescribed in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which are issued every five years by the US departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture.
Studies that have looked at the health effects of flossing seem poorly designed, too small, or improperly conducted, the AP reported.
“It’s low risk, low cost”, Tim Iafolla, a dentist with the National Institutes of Health, told the AP.
Maybe flawless flossing is effective. The little research the ADA does have doesn’t prove flossing makes a difference either way. Whether they change their recommendation remains to be seen.
Count dentist Damien Walmsley, scientific adviser to the British Dental Association, among the skeptics. “We’re seeing what the benefits and the consequences of flossing are”, Dr Vera said with confidence.
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The report is controversial among dentists because their patients are thinking they don’t need to floss any longer. In the most current copy of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, flossing was omitted, according to the Associated Press. “We know that people who floss retain their teeth, so why research it?”
