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There's little proof flossing protects your teeth or gums (2016)

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Re: There's little proof flossing protects your teeth or gums (2016)

#5
I don’t floss every day but I do floss and frequently dislodge food caught between teeth or whatever. No one will convince me that leaving it to rot inside my gums and teeth is good. At the very minimum, it’ll stink.

I also occasionally develop a minor infection in my gums if I’ve not flossed in a while that flossing the area relieves. As a sample of one, it’s effective. If I do it it relieves the infection, if I don’t it doesn’t. Maybe my experiences don’t generalize but I suspect I’m not that rare of a human being. I generally have healthy teeth and gums, never have had cavities, and my dentist says she’s rarely seen healthier teeth especially at around 50. YMMV.

Re: There's little proof flossing protects your teeth or gums (2016)

#8

I mean, yeah, OK, try not flossing...

"You only need to floss the teeth you intend to keep." —my incredible dentist

There must be some other factors at play or I'd be much worse off. I've only had a single cavity in thirty years and I've never flossed once. I always get compliments from dentists even though I don't even remember to brush my teeth every day.

Re: There's little proof flossing protects your teeth or gums (2016)

#9

I don’t floss every day but I do floss and frequently dislodge food caught between teeth or whatever. No one will convince me that leaving it to rot inside my gums and teeth is good. At the very minimum, it’ll stink. I also occasionally develop a minor infection in my gums if I’ve not flossed in a while that flossing the area relieves. As a sample of one, it’s effective. If I do it it relieves the infection, if I don…

Came here to write all of this. Even once a day is totally worth it.

Re: There's little proof flossing protects your teeth or gums (2016)

#10
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"You only need to floss the teeth you intend to keep." —my incredible dentist

There must be some other factors at play or I'd be much worse off. I've only had a single cavity in thirty years and I've never flossed once. I always get compliments from dentists even though I don't even remember to brush my teeth every day.

Anecdotally, I've had dentists notice the difference between when I am flossing regularly vs not at all and it has shown up in my gum measurements. I would even argue I've seen more benefit from flossing than brushing for my gum health. Though I've never had any cavities as well.
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