AP reporter Jeff Donn filed a Freedom of Information Act request with Departments of Health and Human Services and asked them what evidence is there to suggest we should floss for oral health? “As a clinician and researcher, I have found that a water flosser was better for my patients than string floss, and they have been proven more effective in several clinical studies”.
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“And I would hate to see that happen because there isn’t a definitive study that shows flossing itself works”. The studies found the evidence for flossing was “weak” and “very unreliable”.
If you’ve been flossing every day for years because the dentist told you to, put down the waxy string and STEP AWAAAAAY. “They are typically avid flossers”.
“It all came about when my son was visiting an orthodontist”, says investigative reporter Jeff Donn, “and he said, ‘I have a real investigative story: there’s really no proof that flossing works'”. This year, a year when the guideline was published, the recommendation for flossing did not appear in the guide.
“It is incredible sometimes when you put it in between your teeth and you pull it back out and you see what’s on there”, said Dr. Aldredge.
“Toothbrushes can’t clean in between teeth”, said Dr. Brenner.
One dentist said a new look at the evidence around flossing can’t hurt. When pressed, Matthew J. Messina, a practicing dentist and spokesman for the dental association, acknowledged weak evidence, but he blamed research participants who didn’t floss correctly.
The floss-making companies partner with the ADA through its Seal of Acceptance program.
The ADA provides a “seal of approval” to floss products that meet their safety and effectiveness standards, and charges manufacturers $14,500 for the initial evaluation, according to the AP. But no. We’re busy people with little to no time for much more than brushing our teeth let alone flossing.
If done incorrectly, flossing can cause harm.
This year, flossing disappeared from the guidelines.
Dr Sigmund Leung Sai-man, president of the Hong Kong Dental Association, said the issue was about flossing not being practised properly.
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Regardless, he added, Americans should still floss.
