Flossing: Yay or Nay?

You may have seen recent headlines announcing that flossing isn’t necessary. We want to make sure you are well-equipped with the information you need, so you can properly care for your oral health. Here’s a breakdown of the current debate:

Those Opposed to Flossing Say:

• There is little to no scientific evidence that flossing reduces the risk of cavities and gum disease.
• The research that does exist is outdated, or includes too small of a sample size, or too short of a study duration.

Those Supporting Flossing Say:

• It helps to remove plaque between teeth, and plaque is proven to cause cavities.
• It may help reduce bad breath by decreasing the concentration of volatile sulphur compounds in the mouth. Participants in studies have also self-reported that flossing improved their bad breath.
• It reduces interproximal bleeding (bleeding gums between the teeth), which is an indicator of interproximal gingival inflammation.

Many of us in the dental field realize that often, extensive studies are not conducted to prove the effectiveness of preventative measures, because we’ve already seen real and significant benefits. Of course, we plan to continue taking care of our oral health by brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist regularly, and suggest you do the same. We’ve seen the difference good oral care makes for our patients.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Leonard, call our office at 952-443-3368.