Is Flossing Effective or Not?

Well, to begin with, flossing is not popular. Most people don’t mind brushing their teeth twice a day but to have to get in there with a thin piece of string to remove food particles lodged between teeth is a chore as well as a bore.

But the dental association claims it’s necessary in order to reach trapped particles which are the central cause of gum disease and tooth decay. And this is true. They are a breeding ground for bacteria and we must be vigilant when it comes to oral hygiene.

But questions remain about the effectiveness of flossing. Even the American Dental Association concedes that research on the benefits of flossing isn’t all that reliable, and since many of the studies were funded by dental floss companies, there is a strong possibility of bias.

However, there is no argument that dental plaque, which is a clear film in its early stages is, in fact, literally hundreds of acid-producing bacteria that are found in the mouth each day. And that plaque, if not removed, hardens around the base of the teeth, protecting the bacteria and weakening the gums. This is the beginning of serious dental issues and needs to be addressed.

As the old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

But is flossing the best way to address this problem? Frankly, I don’t believe it is. My reasoning? How does a piece of string sawed over the gums between the teeth remove food particles? Admittedly it can remove the top layer in most instances, but I can’t see how it can be effective against trapped food particles wedged in hard to reach areas.

This only reinforces the need to visit your dentist twice a year to have the hygienist physically scrape off the hardened plaque with a metal dental explorer. Which is that device with the curved pick on the end.

OUCH!

But there is an alternative to flossing and it’s rapidly gaining popularity. Not only with dental professionals, but with regular people as well. It’s called an oral irrigator. And what it does is use a high-pressure stream of water to blast trapped and hidden food particles from between the teeth and the bacterial plaque as well. In addition, this device also strengthens the gums to keep bacteria from seeping in between the tooth and gums and getting into the blood stream. 

 Perhaps the most effective oral irrigator is the Oral Breeze. This device needs no electricity and easily snaps on and off your bathroom sink and shower head. To learn more click here.