Should I still be Flossing my teeth?

New guidelines released by the federal government earlier this month have removed flossing as a recommendation for Americans. The U.S. report focuses on dietary benefits for citizens and has historically included regular flossing as part of a healthy lifestyle. The latest report removed flossing due to “weak, very unreliable” evidence that flossing improved Dental or overall health. 

Why did the recommendation change? There is some debate as to whether studies on the benefits of flossing are skewed or inaccurate. Dental governing bodies, such as the American Dental Association, state that the past studies on flossing show a decrease in inflammation and the removal of plaque and debris in between teeth. Other organizations cite that the studies are too small or short in duration to be of value. So what is a patient to do?

At Grand Dental Group, we strongly recommend that you ask your dentist or hygienist for his or her professional opinion. No one knows your mouth better than your own oral health care provider. Do not change your current oral home care routine based only on this recent guideline change. Talk to your dentist first.

Does flossing really work? Our providers know flossing is only as good as how often and how well it is performed. Flossing only on rare occasion likely isn’t making a difference in someone’s oral or overall health. The same holds true when flossing is performed incorrectly – which is very common! To say that flossing is ineffective in instances where it is performed sporadically or poorly is not a fair judgement. In addition, flossing well and flossing daily is not enough to overcome other health obstacles. Patients who have challenges such as uncontrolled diabetes, heart disease, a diet high in sugar and carbohydrates, or who smoke are unlikely to see a health benefit from flossing only. In the opinions of the Grand Dental dentists, floss is a valuable tool, but flossing alone cannot combat overwhelming hurdles. It is no different than expecting a rinse to alone treat gum disease. Or expecting one single workout to combat a month of high calorie intake. But does that mean flossing isn’t helpful? Not at all.

The value of flossing is found when it is part of an entire oral health care regimen. In our clinical and professional experience, flossing is beneficial, regardless of the latest government recommendations. But, it must be performed effectively and frequently to make a difference. Occasional flossing certainly does the trick when trying to remove a popcorn hull, but for patients who want to see real oral health results, we have recommendations:

·         Brush effectively at least two times a day

·         Floss effectively once a day

·         Cease the use of tobacco products & smokeless tobacco

·         Reduce alcohol consumption

·         See your dentist or hygienist regularly for preventative care

·         Manage diabetes and heart disease

·         Eat a diet high in vitamins and minerals and low in sugar

Flossing is not a cure for gum disease and doesn’t ensure a cavity-free mouth. But, when performed properly and routinely, it does remove bacteria and food debris from teeth. Since it is also an inexpensive and easy task, we still recommend it as part of your daily oral hygiene routine.

If you have questions about flossing please reach out to any of our Grand Dental locations, we proudly serve Aurora, Franklin Park, Channahon, Sycamore, Lake Zurich, & Wilmington, IL.