Recent reports in the local and international press indicated that there is no scientific evidence that flossing your teeth prevents the forming of plaque or prevents tooth decay.  The underlying message is one of why bother flossing it there are no proven benefits.

Acting on a tip from his son’s orthodontist, investigative journalist Jeff Donn from Associated Press has requested proof of scientific evidence of the medical benefits of dental flossing from the American dental and health authorities.  It soon became clear that no proper scientific research has ever been done in this regard, apart from a few studies that were, from a scientific perspective, not properly done and with inconclusive evidence.

Does this mean we may as well stop flossing?  The dental profession and related professional bodies responded immediately by saying that a lack of strong evidence does not equate to a lack of effectiveness.  Dental practitioners have strongly indicated that they experience the benefits of flossing in their practices, being able to see the difference in oral health between those patients who floss and those who don’t.  Flossing helps to mechanically disrupt the growth of plaque between teeth that could have led to tooth decay and gum disease.

In addition, the mouth is the entry point of the gastro intestinal tract (known as the “gut”) and hosts different bacterial populations around the tongue, the palate, the teeth and the gums. Scientists claims that some 700 species of aerobic and anaerobic organisms live in the mouth. Poor oral hygiene increases the risk of circulatory inflammatory markers in the blood, while gum disease and other oral diseases can result in chronic low-grade inflammation in the body.

Sources of information:

“Medical benefits of dental floss unproven.” By Jeff Donn, Associated Press, 2 August 2016. “Oral Health.” Research Report Nr. 72, August 2016, by Daniel Weber PHD MSC “The flossing flap: Mind your dentist, and floss every night.” The Conversation US. 10 August 2016

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