Researchers could locate no studies on the effectiveness of flossing combined with teeth brushing for cavity prevention.
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The dentist credited with inventing floss in the early 19th century, Levi Spear Parmly, would be spinning in his grave.
The AP filed a Freedom of Information Act requesting evidence from the departments of Health and Human Services on the benefits of flossing. In a letter to the AP, the government acknowledged the effectiveness of flossing had never been researched. The studies typically compared the use of a toothbrush alone with the combined used of a toothbrush and floss. By the time the first floss patent was issued, in 1874, the applicant noted that dentists were widely recommending its use.
“If you don’t floss, you are missing more than one-third of your tooth surface”.
As for Jenkins, she encourages everyone to floss to prevent problems later on down the road. So many things I could have been enjoying with slightly less guilt.
The AP also pointed out that the government quietly dropped flossing from its dietary guidelines this year.
A review of 12 randomized controlled trials published in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in 2011 found only “very unreliable” evidence that flossing might reduce plaque after one and three months.
One review went further, saying that the “majority of available studies fail to demonstrate that flossing is generally effective in plaque removal”, the AP reported.
An investigation by Associated Press looked at research surrounding flossing which had been conducted over the past decade.
But before you toss out your floss completely, Wayne Aldredge, President of the American Academy of Periodontology says those studies are flawed. “Flossing is not part of the basics”, he said.
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“Floss is important. It helps get in the gums, keep your gums healthy especially for kids because they’re always eating candy, junk food and who knows what else they’re eating half the time”, Jason Adams of Scranton said. Out of 25 studies he reviewed on the subject, almost all said that the benefits of regular flossing were minimal.
