alt Hacker NewsLast I checked, actual evidence that flossing is helpful seems pretty limited.
" In light of the results of this comprehensive literature search and critical analysis, it is concluded that a routine instruction to use floss is not supported by scientific evidence."
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I regularly get food particles out of my molars using floss that brushing wouldn't have been able to, so for me it works.
I have always been an infrequent flosser, but deep down I've hoped for something like this to reach mainstream scientific consensus for a while so I no longer beat myself over it. Fingers crossed this is not a skewed study
> actual evidence that flossing is helpful seems pretty limited
If I don't floss my breath smells terrible because of bacteria and bacteria causes tooth decay. I'm pretty certain I'm not special.
Flossing is not merely essential to dislodging recalcitrant food particles, but also gives great stimulation to the gums themselves, and none of that effort is a waste, IMHO.
It is not sugar that causes dental caries, but bacteria. Flossing that old food out from between teeth is guaranteed to cut down bacteria growth!
Furthermore, my new and wonderful dentist and his hygienists wholeheartedly recommend and encourage the practice.
So perhaps you can excuse me for ignoring a singular “research study”.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35451656/
Conclusions: Interproximal gingival inflammation may be significantly reduced by toothbrushing alone, the effect being significantly enhanced when toothbrushing is combined with dental floss.