Do the recent articles questioning the value of using dental floss have you jumping for joy? Well, before you toss your floss in the trash, you may want to listen to what the dental professionals have to say. While flossing is not on anyone’s top ten of fun things to do, the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) still insist that the benefits of flossing far out way the cons.
Why is Flossing Important?
Plaque, a sticky film made up of mostly bacteria, continually accumulates on and in between your teeth, as well as around your gums. If left on your teeth too long, bacterial toxins begin to breakdown tooth enamel and cause inflammation of the gums. But, by regularly and thoroughly cleaning plaque …show more content…
Why the Controversy?
With so many benefits of flossing, why the negative press? It all started when the Associated Press investigated the usefulness of flossing followed by the federal government removing flossing recommendations from their 2015 U.S. Dietary Guidelines, citing inadequate scientific research.
In a recent news release, the ADA took issue with the AP’s implication that the government has changed its position on flossing. The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee intentionally decided that their focus should be on food and nutrient intake, especially sugar, says the ADA, and this new stance has no influence on long-established flossing recommendations from the Surgeon General, the Centers for Disease Control and other health agencies. On Aug 4, 2016, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sent a statement to the ADA reaffirming the importance of using floss or other interdental cleaning aids to disrupt and remove plaque between the …show more content…
Some people claim to be all thumbs or complain it takes too long, others say the floss gets stuck between their teeth and occasionally cuts their gums. If you have used any of these defenses as a reason not to floss, know that your dentist or hygienist can help solve all of these problems. Floss holders and other aids are available for anyone who has difficulty navigating the floss around their mouth and by learning the correct technique, you can shorten the time it takes and avoid any injuries. And the ADA suggests the MouthHealthy website for anyone wanting to learn more about flossing and other interdental cleaning aids.
Although, no study shows that flossing is 100% effective, one thing is for sure—dentists still believe the benefits of flossing haven’t gone out of style. And really … if you know that leaving bacterial plaque on your teeth leads to dental disease, why would you not want to clean between your teeth, where your toothbrush cannot
Why is Flossing Important?
Plaque, a sticky film made up of mostly bacteria, continually accumulates on and in between your teeth, as well as around your gums. If left on your teeth too long, bacterial toxins begin to breakdown tooth enamel and cause inflammation of the gums. But, by regularly and thoroughly cleaning plaque …show more content…
Why the Controversy?
With so many benefits of flossing, why the negative press? It all started when the Associated Press investigated the usefulness of flossing followed by the federal government removing flossing recommendations from their 2015 U.S. Dietary Guidelines, citing inadequate scientific research.
In a recent news release, the ADA took issue with the AP’s implication that the government has changed its position on flossing. The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee intentionally decided that their focus should be on food and nutrient intake, especially sugar, says the ADA, and this new stance has no influence on long-established flossing recommendations from the Surgeon General, the Centers for Disease Control and other health agencies. On Aug 4, 2016, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sent a statement to the ADA reaffirming the importance of using floss or other interdental cleaning aids to disrupt and remove plaque between the …show more content…
Some people claim to be all thumbs or complain it takes too long, others say the floss gets stuck between their teeth and occasionally cuts their gums. If you have used any of these defenses as a reason not to floss, know that your dentist or hygienist can help solve all of these problems. Floss holders and other aids are available for anyone who has difficulty navigating the floss around their mouth and by learning the correct technique, you can shorten the time it takes and avoid any injuries. And the ADA suggests the MouthHealthy website for anyone wanting to learn more about flossing and other interdental cleaning aids.
Although, no study shows that flossing is 100% effective, one thing is for sure—dentists still believe the benefits of flossing haven’t gone out of style. And really … if you know that leaving bacterial plaque on your teeth leads to dental disease, why would you not want to clean between your teeth, where your toothbrush cannot