To Floss Or Not To Floss

A new research suggests flossing is a waste of time.

17:51 08 August 2016

The Associated Press has claimed that studies investigating benefits of flossing are weak and suggested that there is little reliable evidence that it actually works.

 

Investigative journalist Jeff Donn wrote: “Most of these studies used outdated methods or tested few people.

 

“Some lasted only two weeks, far too brief for a cavity or dental disease to develop. One tested 25 people after only a single use of floss."

 

Professor Damien Walmsley, the British Dental Association’s scientific adviser confirmed floss can be ‘of little value’.

 

He said: “Small inter-dental brushes are preferable for cleaning the area in between the teeth, where there is space to do so.

 

"Floss is of little value unless the spaces between your teeth are too tight for the inter-dental brushes to fit without hurting or causing harm."

 

He added that the best ways to reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease remain the same – brush teeth twice a day with a fluoride tooth paste, see the dentist regularly, and cut back on sugar.

 

The AP has also found that advice to floss was removed without notice from the federal government’s latest health guidelines. It was later confirmed in a letter that the effectiveness of flossing had never been researched, as is required.