By Amy Kennard
Have you heard? There’s no need to floss anymore! …or so people were led to believe. Before we get into the “he said, she said,” let’s review how the practice of flossing started in the first place.
Flossing flashback
The exact date of the first use of dental floss is unknown, but anthropologists found evidence of grooves from floss and toothpicks in the mouths of prehistoric humans. It is believed that horse hair was used as floss and twigs as toothpicks to dislodge anything from the teeth.
In 1815, a New Orleans dentist began advising patients to use a thin silk thread as floss, later publishing its benefits in A Practical Guide to the Management of Teeth. Then just before the turn of the century in 1898, a patent was granted to Johnson & Johnson for the first dental floss.
Since then, the American Dental Association (ADA) and dentists worldwide have encouraged flossing as a way to remove tartar buildup and plaque that can cause tooth decay, gingivitis, and gum disease. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to periodontal disease, which can destroy bones, gums, and tissues that support the teeth. In addition, researchers have observed that people with gum disease may be more likely to develop conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. So, why all of a sudden are we being told it’s OK to forsake the flossing?
Straight from the horse’s mouth
Actually, we aren’t being told not to floss. This past year, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) apparently dropped flossing from their latest dietary guidelines. The Associated Press (AP) stepped in and reported that there were no hard and fast studies proving the efficacy of flossing combined with brushing for the prevention of cavities or periodontal disease. Past studies, the AP found, didn’t test a large enough sample, used outdated methods or were too short to be conclusive.
This caused a stir in the media, and non-flossers everywhere rejoiced that no longer did they have to feel guilty for neglecting that extra step. What the media failed to recognize — and publish — until just this past summer, is that “insufficient evidence” isn’t necessarily “proof of ineffectiveness.”
Dentists are in the best position to advise patients on oral hygiene, and the HHS affirmed the importance of flossing this past August, saying that, “Flossing is an important oral hygiene practice. Tooth decay and gum disease can develop when plaque is allowed to build up on teeth and along the gum line. Professional cleaning, tooth brushing, and cleaning between teeth (flossing and the use of other tools such as interdental brushes) have been shown to disrupt and remove plaque.”
The reason for the confusion? The HHS released a statement saying, “It was most likely identified as a supporting recommendation along with brushing teeth, with the primary emphasis being on the nutrition-based recommendation to reduce added sugars,” and stated that the advisory committee in charge of reviewing the guidelines made a deliberate decision to focus on food and nutrient intake and were not implying that flossing was not an important oral hygiene practice.
So who’s right?
“It’s very easy to identify a patient who flosses and one who does not,” says Dr. Mark Houska of the Houska Family Dental Center in Bloomington. “Those who floss regularly have less inflammation and bleeding in their gums, as well as less plaque between their teeth. We see many more cases of decay, gingivitis, and periodontal disease in people who don’t floss.”
He continued, “If you ask anyone who flosses daily, they’ll tell you firsthand of the benefits, including removing debris and reducing bad breath. We have always recommended brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing at least once a day, and will continue to do so. That practice, in addition to regular visits to your dentist, is the triple threat to help prevent oral problems in the future.”
While some might be disappointed that flossing is not something that will be going by the wayside anytime soon, dentists everywhere are relieved to have this verdict clarified so they can continue to advise their patients of the healthiest practices to care for their oral health.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call Houska Dental Center at 309-662-9042, or visit them online at www.HouskaDentalCenter.com. They are located at 2433 Maloney Dr. in Bloomington and offer twenty-five years of exceptional dental care to the Bloomington-Normal area with expertise in general and cosmetic dentistry.