Busted: The Truth Behind Flossing

The bristles on a toothbrush that gently grace the surface of one’s teeth can range from 0.03 mm to 0.23 mm in thickness. The gap between one’s teeth can make it difficult to get between the teeth when brushing. Recently, flossing is under scrutiny since there is not much scientific evidence behind flossing as people originally thought. However, even with the recent controversy in the media, flossing is still beneficial to one’s dental hygiene and oral health.

The controversy of flossing

Leaking between the cracks of the belief that flossing is beneficial for one’s health, the Associated Press has found a lack of evidence to verify this statement. In a report, the Associated Press finds that “The evidence for flossing is ‘weak, very unreliable,’ of ‘very low’ quality, and carries ‘a moderate to large potential for bias.’”

The Associated Press sheds light on a lack of more recent studies with larger control groups offering evidence on flossing. In some ways, it has become a common fact or assumption that flossing works. Another part of the controversy stems from the fact that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services did not list flossing in the 2015 health care guidelines. This brought up more questions and made people wonder if flossing is an important step of dental hygiene or not.

The American Dental Association, ADA, states that “By doing so, they were not implying that this is not an important oral hygiene practice,” the Health and Human Services responded with. The history of dental floss displays that there has always been a benefit to one’s dental health.

The truth of it all is common sense

Oralb.com states that flossing goes back to the 1800s and became popular thanks to the Codman and Shurtleft Company using silk dental floss. Even then, it was obvious that using the thread to get between the teeth could help to keep them clean. In the 1940s, “nylon replaced silk as the material for dental floss-its consistent texture and resistance to shredding were an improvement over the silk versions,” Oralb.com states.

Eventually, floss evolved into what people use today and can still provide health benefits for those who use it. For anyone who is struggling with the notion that flossing is not important, common sense and a self-conducted test at home can be the answer. Before bed, an individual merely has to brush his or her teeth and floss after. Upon doing so, see how much food comes out after flossing than with the brushing.

Since the bristles cannot typically get between the teeth, flossing will help remove any plaque that gets caught between them. If you still have questions about flossing, do not hesitate to speak with a professional dentist about it. The dentist will verify the flossing can help keep one’s teeth healthy. After all, while there is a lack of current or updated evidence for the benefits of flossing, there is also no evidence saying that flossing is bad for people.

If you have more questions about preventative dental care or flossing, these pages can offer answers.

• Dental Cleaning and Examinations
• Oral Cancer Screening
• Oral Hygiene Basics
• Preventative Dental Care

Austin Primary Dental

At Austin Primary Dental in Austin,, we will customize your treatment to match your needs and schedule. Our professional staff creates a calm atmosphere for you during the appointment and treatment process. We will identify any dental issues you are struggling with and find the best solution.

Our staff will create a calm and comforting atmosphere at the office to ease patients into the procedure. We can help prevent damage to your teeth and set you on track for a lifetime of pristine oral health. At Austin Primary Dental, your dental health is our prime concern.