The title/article discrepancy highlights where the problem lies. The bullshit is not the process (flossing), but in the claims (reducing plaque).
The majority of available studies fail to demonstrate that flossing is generally effective in plaque removal
For other goals, the process of flossing can and does show results.
Freudian slip?
…,and it stinks!
I have a couple food traps, so if I don’t floss after eating certain foods, it is uncomfortable to the point of pain for me. So, I floss sometimes multiple times a day.
After you continue to do it regularly, there is no pain or discomfort with flossing. I find that Glide brand is ideal for not tearing or causing a tingly, weird feeling on tight spots.
My teeth cut Glide consistently. Sharp fillings or something, I’m not sure.
Now I know why Boba Fett wears a mask.
I was going to post a ‘kill-it-with-fire’ image/GIF, but I wanted revenge more:
You started this. Don’t make me end it.
I have a pet theory that mouthwashes are akin to using a broad spectrum antibiotic every night; you lose the bad’uns along with the good’uns. This is backed by nothing more than a lazy-hobbyist-level knowledge of microbiomes, and is probably bullshit. But only ever having had one mini cavity, with medium/good dental hygiene habits, I floss rather than rinse for fear of losing the home team that’s kept that record alive.
GAH! Someone needs to loose their Photoshop privileges.
Nor is it necessary. A good, fluoridated toothpaste along with proper brushing technique will remove buildup and plaque (therefore a food source and substrate for bacteria) and maintain enamel strength. If you’re really concerned about bad breath, brush your tongue and floss as well. Mouthwash is a waste of money.
Well, that was awful
all you need is 'nuff teef
If that was traumatic for you, I strongly recommend never, ever image searching ‘sea turtle mouth’. Not kidding. That is high-octane nightmare fuel.
Not everything the government says is to be believed, remember how they told us ketchup is a vegetable? Flossing works for me and my family, even once a week is helpful.
I also recommend against “pacu”
and expecially “Cymothoa exigua”…
Did you floss effectively and with sufficient frequency? Because if you didn’t, then you might as well have not flossed at all.
Shane MacGowan agrees. Flossing, brushing, cleaning your teeth, it’s all bullshit.
If you’ve got rotting food stuck between your teeth that wasn’t removed by brushing, you’ll notice. And awful breath is from not brushing, not lack of flossing. I tried flossing on and off for years, but found it only made sense if I was trying to dislodge a bit of corn or something. Otherwise, it just made my gums bleed like crazy, which didn’t strike me as very healthy.
The bleeding from flossing goes away once you do it regularly - and the bleeding means your gums are inflamed!
I have genetically bad teeth and very active mouth bacteria which leads to a pretty serious case of periodontal disease. Brushing and flossing isn’t enough to keep it at bay so my dentist prescribes a very low dosage antibiotic (doxycycline) twice a day. I used to eschew the dentist as a younger man but now I take the matter very seriously. I even had my DNA tested to find which antibiotics respond best.
I see my hygienist 4x a year for cleanings and it has pretty much reversed the worst of it. I notice things get bad if I don’t floss regularly but it really goes downhill quickly if I don’t take my medication. So the chemical makeup of your mouth bacteria has a lot to do with overall oral health (and even heart health as they’ve shown). Some people just naturally build up plaque and tartar much more easily than others. Flossing helps to keep the pockets clear and gums healthy.
