The federal government has recommended flossing since 1979, first in a surgeon general’s report and later in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans issued every five years. The guidelines must be based on scientific evidence, under the law.
Last year, the Associated Press asked the departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture for their evidence, and followed up with written requests under the Freedom of Information Act.
When the federal government issued its latest dietary guidelines this year, the flossing recommendation had been removed, without notice. In a letter to the AP, the government acknowledged the effectiveness of flossing had never been researched, as required.
The AP looked at the most rigorous research conducted over the past decade, focusing on 25 studies that generally compared the use of a toothbrush with the combination of toothbrushes and floss. The findings? The evidence for flossing is “weak, very unreliable,” of “very low” quality, and carries “a moderate to large potential for bias.”
Given there no strong evidence for flossing and we still feel like doing it maybe we should also go for newer technology that makes sense like dental probiotics?
Medical benefits of dental floss unproven
Given there no strong evidence for flossing and we still feel like doing it maybe we should also go for newer technology that makes sense like dental probiotics?
What should I do with this information? I want an advice.
Buy some stocks of dental floss and start selling it. (or shares in someone doing so)
Other than that—wait and see for further testing.