Major news outlets, like CNN, reported recently on the USDA dropping it’s recommendation to floss daily. But our Yuba City dentists and hygienists still strongly advise patients that daily flossing is essential for good oral health. So why did the government drop flossing for Americans and why doesn’t the Yuba City Dentistry Group agree?
About Flossing “Evidence”
A chief researcher discussing gum disease at the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) was widely quoted as saying there just isn’t enough “evidence” that flossing is beneficial. Yet their website still contains the recommendation to floss daily to prevent gingivitis, periodontitis and tooth loss. (For example, a recent headline from the AAP reads: “Floss or Risk Losing Your Teeth”.)
Our dentists and the rest of our team know from experience that daily flossing prevents tooth loss and complications from gum disease. They say:
“To make national health statements nowadays requires stringent proof supported by years of research that have been verified through double blind clinical trials. To go from a theory to a law in medicine requires a plethora of evidence, proof, and years of acceptance. Science is a slow and methodical practice that errs on the side of caution to avoid being wrong. Even then, sometimes it embarrasses itself. To date, while we have much research on other subjects, we don’t on flossing as it was assumed a given. In order for research to get funded, the return on investment needs to be promising.”
Our dentists at the Yuba City Dentistry Group actually encourage you to give us less money by advising you to floss daily! Good dentists want to see their patients have the best oral health possible and this means making daily flossing and brushing the cornerstone of good dental hygiene. When a patient brushes and flosses every day their risk of gum disease, cavities, tooth loss and other expensive dental problems decreases dramatically!
It’s Head Scratching Time
The headlines might make dentists, hygienists and citizens scratch their heads. Yes, flossing is boring. No, it’s not a popular research topic. And while the recent news headlines might make some who don’t floss feel justified in avoiding it, we encourage those patients who do floss to keep it up! Every day we see the results: when flossing is done daily and correctly it prevents bleeding gums, gingivitis, cavities and tooth loss. Save yourself pain and money in the long-term: continue to floss daily for optimal oral health.
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