Hong Kong’s health authority and dentists are sticking to one of the most universal recommendations in all of public health – floss daily – despite the revelation that it is no longer recommended because there is little proof it prevents gum disease and cavities. But previous year the Associated Press requested evidence on flossing based on scientific evidence.
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When the federal government issued its latest guidelines this year, the flossing recommendation had been removed, without notice. “They are typically avid flossers”.
Bahrey said he feels more studies need to come out saying that flossing doesn’t help before dentists will actually change their recommendations.
Although he agrees there is lack of evidence, he hopes this new information will prompt new studies. The Associated Press attempted to find some scientific proof behind this idea that you should floss every night, and their investigation produced just about nothing. Even before that, the American Dental Association has been endorsing flossing, Their enforcement began in 1908.
Professor Damien Walmsley, a British dentist at the University of Birmingham also stated that the evidence which suggests that flossing is beneficial is weak.
Evidence has surfaced that flossing isn’t as effective as we thought is was. However, he told the AP the benefits of flossing might be clearer if studies focused on people with the highest risk of gum disease, such as smokers and diabetics.
To give our practitioners some credit for making us floss, a 2011 review found flossing slightly reduced gum inflammation, which over time, could turn into gum disease. Dentists say to always use an up and down motion while flossing between teeth, not a sawing motion. The bottom line about the report is that there is no evidence to support that flossing helps that much.
She and her colleagues see a significant difference in gum health in a year’s time if a patient has started to floss consistently, McFarland said.
The ADA said it makes no profit from the program, which permits floss manufacturers to design the studies. “It’s not going to harm your teeth or your gums”.
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“People don’t like to floss they absolutely don’t like to do it but if you say it probably doesn’t work now for sure they won’t floss”, said Dr. Ciancio.
