Do you remember the flossing controversy? Three years ago, the Associated Press shook up the world of dental hygiene with a groundbreaking report that flossing may not be worth the effort. The AP examined years of research on flossing efficacy and found that the studies didn’t support the recommendation to make this a daily habit. As the AP examined the available studies, they found little evidence, biased research, small participant groups, and outdated study methods.
The AP report implied that government guidelines changed as a result of their investigation into flossing. Although daily flossing was removed from the 2015 Dietary Guidelines, the government claims that the move was intentional, due to a desire to focus on diet moving forward, rather than dental habits, in the yearly guidelines. Flossing is still recommended by the Surgeon General, the CDC, and the US Department of Health and Human Services.
When the flossing controversy first hit, confusion over the long-recommended practice was rampant. Should I floss? Should I skip? Now that it has been two years, let’s reexamine the flossing controversy. We’ll let you know if daily flossing should top your dental health to-do list.
What Is Flossing? How Does It Work?
Flossing is a way to clean your teeth. Floss is a thin cording that is used to clean the spaces in between the teeth. Floss is placed between the teeth and carefully moved to disrupt the biofilm layer between the teeth and around the gumline. There are five surfaces on each tooth. Brushing can only reach 3; flossing and other dental interdental cleaning methods reach the remaining 2 surfaces.
Flossing may help you to avoid serious dental problems like decay, tooth loss, and gum disease. The process is quick, usually taking only a few minutes and is easily performed at home. If you’re unfamiliar with flossing or need a quick tutorial about how to do it properly, let us know. We would be happy to give you some tips and help you improve your effectiveness. With flossing, the technique is important to achieve the best results.
Is Flossing Beneficial?
When the flossing controversy hit, the studies proving flossing’s effectiveness were found to be lacking, biased, and unproven, but that doesn’t mean that flossing isn’t worth the effort. Flossing is a low-risk and low-cost action, requiring only a few minutes each day, and negligible financial investment. In our opinion, even if the benefit is small, the effort is worth it. And from what we’ve seen, the benefit can be substantial. Any dental hygienist will tell you, they know when you’re not flossing.
Make sure you’re flossing correctly, do it regularly, and you’ll see the benefits for yourself at your next dental visit.
Is It Better to Floss in the Morning or at Night?
We want you to floss, but we don’t care when you do it. Floss in the morning, floss at night, or floss on your lunch break. If flossing happens each day, the time doesn’t matter. Choose a time that makes it easy for you to remember and be consistent to build this healthy habit.
Other Options for Interdental Cleaning
Interdental cleaning, the practice of cleaning between the teeth, is important, but flossing isn’t your only option. If you hate flossing, test drive some of these other effective options to find a better fit.
- Dental picks
- Pre-threaded flossers
- Powered air or water flossers
Daily Dental Maintenance- What Should I Do to Protect My Teeth?
What do your teeth need for daily, at-home maintenance? The ADA and Hill Country Oral Surgery recommends:
- Brushing 2x daily using a fluoridated toothpaste
- Flossing or other interdental cleaning option 1x daily
Visit your dentist on a regular basis for cleanings and check-ups and, should damage or decay occur, come see us for repair and restoration. Hill Country Oral Surgery is one of the premier oral surgery practices in Austin, TX and specializes in wisdom tooth extractions, impacted teeth, apicoectomies, and dental implants. Call us to schedule a consultation at 512-327-7233.
To floss or not to floss? The flossing controversy didn’t sway our commitment to this time-honored and highly effective dental practice.
