To Floss or Not To Floss?

This past August, the Associated Press caused quite a stir when they published a report about the weak evidence supporting the effectiveness of flossing your teeth. The AP looked at research conducted over the past decade, focusing on 25 studies that compared the use of just a toothbrush with the combination of using both a toothbrush and floss. According to the AP, the evidence for flossing is "weak, very unreliable," of "very low" quality (source). While news of this study sent shockwaves across the country (with many people pretty pleased about the findings, since nearly one-third of Americans do not floss), the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Periodontology are standing by their recommendations that flossing is effective, lack of evidence or not. Most dental professionals firmly believe flossing is effective in removing plaque, bacteria and soft deposits in the tight spaces between teeth that toothbrushes can’t reach.

If the AP’s published report has put you on the fence about flossing, let us help ease you off of it. Here are three good reasons you should continue to floss or get into a new habit of flossing:

1. Cleans places your toothbrush can’t. Teeth have four sides to them, and a toothbrush is only reaching the front and back. Food and bacteria can get stuck between your teeth, and if left there, can lead to gum disease. Floss can get in the spaces between each tooth to remove food particles and bacteria.

2. Strengthens your gums. Many people who don’t floss choose not to do it because it makes their gums bleed. In actuality, you should be flossing more if your gums bleed, since the act of flossing makes your gums healthier and the bleeding should stop after a few weeks of dedicated daily flossing.

3. Helps prevent other diseases. Research suggests a connection between gum disease and other diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and dementia. People with gum disease are almost twice as likely to have heart disease as people with good periodontal health. Daily flossing in addition to daily brushing can help prevent more serious health issues down the road.

Even if current research suggests a lack of evidence to support flossing, we at Allen Dental still recommended you do so because it is low risk, low cost. Meaning that even if it doesn’t help you (and we believe it does!), it will not hurt you either and it is not an expensive habit to keep up. If you’re still unsure, feel free to bring it up to Dr. Allen at your next appointment, he’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have. Do you need set up an appointment? Schedule yours TODAY at, allendental.net!