Importance of Flossing Teeth Greenbelt
Flossing for the Truth
Recently, an article hit all the major news services with the headline that flossing was never proven to be important or necessary for oral health. This, of course, caused great confusion and joy among the public, especially those who never liked or wanted to floss. Our team wants to emphasize the importance of flossing for our dental patients.
Why Did This Happen?
As a culture, we tend to be a “sound bite society” that loves shocking headlines, pays little attention to the boring reality of things, and moves on quickly to the next pop-topic. Many will remember the headline but not the crux of the article.
The Facts Behind The Headlines
The criticism of flossing reflected the incomplete scientific testing design used years ago. Research has not measured the benefits of flossing in people who floss their teeth regularly compared to people who do not floss their teeth. A valid scientific test needs to evaluate many subjects over an extended time with test takers and test givers following stringent guidelines. This absolutely yields the most valid data for scientific conclusions.
Flossing In The Real World
There is another body of evidence that can be gathered in addition to pure scientific data. Anecdotal evidence is what we see and experience without a formal test. Dentists, hygienists, and patients see and feel a difference in the health of their teeth and gums when they floss daily. The gums stop bleeding. They get fewer cavities between teeth. Their breath is improved. Their dental cleanings are easier. This is seen again and again over the years with an overwhelming number of people.