A US report hit headlines in recent years when it stated that flossing your teeth didn’t provide any proven oral health benefits. The report reviewed 25 studies and concluded there was a lack of evidence that regular flossing improves the health of your teeth and gums. While people who don’t floss regularly celebrated this news (one less thing to feel guilty about!), the dental industry was quick to disagree. So does flossing your teeth improve their health, or it is all a myth? Can we forgo this as part of our routines in our already time-poor days?
Well, before you ditch the floss – not to mention the guilt about not flossing often enough – it’s important to note that those in the dental industry remain firm advocates of regular flossing. These professionals are experts in oral health and see first-hand the difference that regular flossing can make to the health of your teeth and gums.
Think of how often you eat every day. Every time you eat food can (and does) get left between your teeth. Even the best toothbrush can’t reach all of the spaces in-between your teeth. Food debris sitting in pockets between your teeth causes gum disease and tooth decay, and the most effective way to remove it is by flossing.
Dentists, Dental Hygienists and periodontal experts all unequivocally agree that regular brushing and flossing are both essential for good oral health. Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease, and people who floss regularly exhibit lower levels of gingivitis than those who don’t. If gingivitis is left untreated it can develop into periodontal disease, which is linked to diabetes, heart disease and other serious health conditions. So having healthy teeth and gums not only preserves your smile, it can also contribute to your total health and wellbeing.
Our Fraser Dental team agrees that their patients who floss regularly definitely have healthier teeth and gums. They have also seen cases where patients who incorporate flossing into their daily routine have actually reversed the early stages of tooth decay and gum disease – saving their teeth as well as potentially avoiding expensive dental treatments in the future.
Types Of Dental Floss
Although waxed dental floss remains the most popular method, there are several other options available on the market, including:
- Dental floss picks
- Flossers with disposable heads
- Water flossers
- Air flossers
- Small, straight interdental brushes which fit between your teeth
- Orthodontic floss
Talk to your friendly Fraser Dental Dentist or Dental Hygienist about which product is right for you, and how to use it correctly for the best results.
