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[Dalek]

Feeling Guilty About Not Flossing? Maybe There’s No Need

For decades, the federal government — not to mention your dentist — has insisted that daily flossing is necessary to prevent cavities and gums so diseased that your teeth fall out.

Turns out, all that flossing may be overrated.

The latest dietary guidelines for Americans, issued by the Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services, quietly dropped any mention of flossing without notice. This week, The Associated Press reported that officials had never researched the effectiveness of regular flossing, as required, before cajoling Americans to do it.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the American Academy of Periodontology acknowledged that most of the current evidence fell short because researchers had not been able to include enough participants or “examine gum health over a significant amount of time.”

The revelation has caused a stir among guilt-ridden citizens who strive to floss daily but fall short of that lofty goal. Among experts, however, it has been something of an open secret that flossing has not been shown to prevent cavities or severe periodontal disease.

The American Dental Association’s website says flossing “is an essential part of taking care of your teeth and gums.” Last year, Dr. Edmond R. Hewlett, a spokesman for the group and a professor of restorative dentistry at the University of California, Los Angeles, said, “We’re confident that disturbing the bacteria in plaque with brushing and flossing is, indeed, beneficial.”

Actually, that’s only half proven: Brushing with fluoride does prevent dental decay. That flossing has the same benefit is a hunch that has never been proved.

If it’s any consolation, there is some mediocre evidence that flossing does reduce bloody gums and inflammation known as gingivitis. That Cochrane review found that regular brushers and flossers had less gum bleeding than people who only brushed, although the authors cautioned that the quality of the evidence was “very low.”

 

[Zakalwe]

For people who drink coffee, tea, high sugar foods, lots of starch, dairy... pretty much everything tbh, flossing helps prevent bad breath.

So do it anyway.

 

[Mammoth Jones]

For people who drink coffee, tea, high sugar foods, lots of starch, dairy... pretty much everything tbh, flossing helps prevent bad breath.

So do it anyway.

This. That gunk between teeth sits and rots. And it fucking reeks. Other people CAN smell it on your breath.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

Just use a waterpik if it's so hard.

 

[Broken Joystick]

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1257060

 

[Velikost]

Even if it's not necessary I'd still do it; started a year or two ago and have no idea why I didn't so it sooner. Not that big of a hassle and the clean feeling that comes with flossing + brushing is so much better than brushing alone.

You've only got one set of teeth and dental work is expensive, I have no idea why people don't do their best to take care of them. Most people don't even know how to brush properly, even I didn't for a long time. No dentist I ever went to showed me the proper method; had to look into that shit myself

 

[Forerunner]

Flossing feels good though.

 

[V_Arnold]

You do not need the scientific evidence when you can just use your eyes: Check what is on the floss after you flossed. That is what bases the plaque.

 

[The Last Wizard]

We already got a thread, but floss at least once a day you filthy animals.

 

[marimorimo]

Lulz. I never floss, and brushed absolutely the WRONG WAY for decades. Never got a cavity. Dentists would be in awe at how healthy my teeth were. (It's probably due to some mutant genetics and good production of saliva). What's more, my teeth were incredibly white (people were commenting on it) until I became a tea-drinker so that's gone now

Nowadays I find a good, thorough brushing is good enough for my teeth. Sure I could floss, but I never got the hang of it, so. I can usually tell if I have some big particles stuck in my teeth.

 

[demosthenes]

Already a thread and as I said then I will continue to judge those that don't floss, it's disgusting.

 

[sikkinixx]

I floss every night and the amount of gunk on the floss is gross. I don't get how that staying between my teeth can't do any harm.

 

[guek]

I floss regularly and will continue to do so. The bigger challenge for me is to keep from brushing so hard, but my arms just have TOO MUCH POWER

 

[Jazzy Network]

Food particles and plaque are enough to keep me doing it even if a dentist or some scientific idiot tells me I don't have to.

 

[Kieli]

floss if only to have your breath not smell like some final fantasy malboro bad breath attack

 

[Alcotholic]

I think good teeth are in the genes. Some people don't really take care of their teeth yet somehow have no problems?
I take care of my teeth pretty well, yet I've had plenty of cavities in the past. Not really sure what I'm doing wrong, my dentist said I'm doing things right.

 

[Kalnos]

It's really not that hard

 

[water_wendi]

Simple test. Brush you teeth, use your mouthwash, do your whole routine but floss. After a week, floss after cleaning. That stuff on the floss that smells like shit was in your mouth.

 

[UnemployedVillain]

You do not need the scientific evidence when you can just use your eyes: Check what is on the floss after you flossed. That is what bases the plaque.

This! When I floss and see the stuff that comes out, I'm honestly disgusted I didn't floss earlier. You simply can't get into every crevice with a toothbrush, and that shit will stay there and smell worse even if you don't notice

 

[Bitanator]

Don't be lazy, floss daily

 

[Dalek]

I think good teeth are in the genes. Some people don't really take care of their teeth yet somehow have no problems?
I take care of my teeth pretty well, yet I've had plenty of cavities in the past. Not really sure what I'm doing wrong, my dentist said I'm doing things right.

My dentist has basically told me exactly this.

 

[Robot Pants]

Definitely genetic. I haven't had a cavity in my entire life and I do nothing short of the absolute minimum with my teeth.
Breath is fine, don't worry.

 

[Trouble]

I floss every time I eat anything, even snacks (dentek picks are a godsend). I can't stand the feeling of having stuff (aka rotting food) stuck between my teeth. Since I started flossing really regularly my biannual cleanings are a breeze and my gums never bleed during said cleanings.

So yeah, I'll keep flossing thanks.

 

[Monocle]

This. That gunk between teeth sits and rots. And it fucking reeks. Other people CAN smell it on your breath.

Yep.