Dental News - Flossing on the front pages

Dental Tribune USA

Fri. 26 August 2016

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NEW YORK, N.Y., USA: In response to recent news reports questioning whether scientific research supports oral health benefits associated with flossing, the American Dental Association is advising dental professionals and their patients that when it comes to flossing, a lack of strong evidence doesn’t equate to a lack of effectiveness. The association is advocating that dentists are in the best position to advise their patients on oral hygiene practices because they know their patients’ oral health status and health history.

Extensive global news coverage followed an Associated Press investigative report that addressed why flossing was no longer included in the latest U.S. Dietary Guidelines. Some accounts implied the government had changed its stance on flossing. In response, the ADA noted that the change reflected the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s decision to focus on food and nutrient intake (i.e., added sugar) in the updated guidelines. According to the ADA, the guidelines have no bearing on the long-standing recommendation from the Surgeon General, the CDC and other health agencies to clean between teeth daily. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reaffirmed the importance of flossing in an Aug. 4 response to a clarification request from the ADA, stating:

“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. At HHS, NIH’s National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, CDC’s Division of Oral Health and Healthy People 2020 have additional information and resources about efforts to address and improve oral health.”

According to the ADA, interdental cleaners such as floss are an essential part of taking care of teeth and gums. Cleaning between teeth removes plaque that can lead to cavities or gum disease from the areas where a toothbrush can’t reach. Interdental cleaning is proven to help remove debris between teeth that can contribute to plaque buildup.

Individuals advised to consult with their dentists on flossing

The ADA reports that there are more than 500 bacterial species in plaque; some are good and some are bad for oral hygiene. Together with food debris, water and other components, plaque buildup around the teeth and on the gum line will contribute to disease in teeth and gums.

Whether individuals use floss or another interdental cleaner is a personal preference, but it’s important to understand, according to the ADA, the proper technique for each tool so that it is effective. Patients are advised to talk to their dentists about how to use interdental cleaners to ensure efficacy.

The ADA continues to recommend brushing for two minutes twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between teeth once a day with an interdental cleaner and regular dental visits as advised by the individual’s dentist.

The Health and Human Services statement also acknowledged that while dental floss — along with brushing teeth and using fluoridated water — was mentioned in past editions of the guidelines (in both 2005 and 2010), “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.”

Brushing and flossing have never been an integral part of the dietary guidelines, which are designed primarily to provide evidence-based food and beverage recommendations for U.S. citizens.

The Health and Human Services statement said, “Since neither the 2010 nor 2015 Advisory Committees (for the guidelines) reviewed evidence on brushing and flossing teeth, the authors of the current edition decided not to carry forward the information on brushing and flossing included in past editions of the guidelines. By doing so, they were not implying that this is not an important oral hygiene practice.”

ADA-members practitioners can direct their patients to the ADA consumer website www.MouthHealthy.org for more information about flossing.

(Source: American Dental Association)

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