21 ms·

It's not nuanced. The evidence is just lacking, people are just using judgement to advise on something that we can't detect one way or another with research.

It's not nuanced. The evidence is just lacking, people are just using judgement to advise on something that we can't detect one way or another with research. When it comes to dental care it's not even clear, based on research (Cochrane review in 2019) it flossing makes any difference let alone a clinically useful difference. The current advice is just based on reasoning that either you brush first or wait a hour after eating due to the abrasive action of brushing.

spoiler 4y ago
Regarding flossing, at least in my case, it helps with my gum disease. If I don't floss for a while my gums start to bleed. Although, I use a water floss instead of a regular rope floss
- wingworks 4y ago
  Yeah, flossing is a good idea if you don't want to get gum disease. Also a good idea to learn to floss correctly, not just a quick "in and out". (also good idea so you don't get cavities on the edges of your teeth.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WviE5aa5Ha0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WviE5aa5Ha0 (how to floss)
moffkalast 4y ago
It's not clear because it IS nuanced, and it doesn't have the same effect on everyone equally. Two people using the exact same dental routine can have vastly different results from it.
- psychphysic 4y ago
  I'll take the Cochrane opinion that evidence is lacking due to low quality small sample short follow up studies in those with poor dental hygiene. Over the random internet randos views. But thanks none the less!
ornornor 4y ago
I’m glad ifnflossing helps fights cavity but the main reason I do it is because it’s so gross not to. When you don’t floss you basically accept to keep bits of rotten food between your teeth for days. If you’re unconvinced, don’t floss for a week and then do, see what comes out. And don’t smell it. I warned you.
- OJFord 4y ago
  People's teeth (and brushing technique/effectiveness) are way too varied to make such a general statement. I flossed for the first time at some point in my 20s, did religiously for a year or so thereafter, and still do occasionally - but at no point was it like 'how on Earth have I not been doing this' or loads of gunk coming out, nevermind rotten and smelly. Maybe you have just the 'right' tooth gap that it's both too tight for your brushing but not so tight that stuff doesn't get stuck. (And for whatever it's worth, all dental check-ups since some point in my early teens at the latest have just been a quick look around and yep all good - I'm not saying this from a position (touching wood I don't eat my hat next time of course) of terrible dental health.)
  - tonnydourado 4y ago
    > People's teeth (and brushing technique/effectiveness) are way too varied You're absolutely correct, because I don't floss that often, but every time I do a whole meal comes out, so I'm incredibly envious of your naturally clean teeth XD
    - 8ytecoder 4y ago
      Saliva does help in preventing bacteria build up. [1] [1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1961328/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1961328/
  - wingworks 4y ago
    A checkup shouldn't be too quick, there are things they should be checking and looking out for: https://youtu.be/sDe50j0MFBU?t=95 https://youtu.be/sDe50j0MFBU?t=95 (Dental Office RED FLAGS)

spoiler 4y ago

Regarding flossing, at least in my case, it helps with my gum disease. If I don't floss for a while my gums start to bleed. Although, I use a water floss instead of a regular rope floss

wingworks 4y ago
Yeah, flossing is a good idea if you don't want to get gum disease. Also a good idea to learn to floss correctly, not just a quick "in and out". (also good idea so you don't get cavities on the edges of your teeth.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WviE5aa5Ha0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WviE5aa5Ha0 (how to floss)

moffkalast 4y ago

It's not clear because it IS nuanced, and it doesn't have the same effect on everyone equally. Two people using the exact same dental routine can have vastly different results from it.

psychphysic 4y ago
I'll take the Cochrane opinion that evidence is lacking due to low quality small sample short follow up studies in those with poor dental hygiene. Over the random internet randos views. But thanks none the less!

ornornor 4y ago

I’m glad ifnflossing helps fights cavity but the main reason I do it is because it’s so gross not to. When you don’t floss you basically accept to keep bits of rotten food between your teeth for days. If you’re unconvinced, don’t floss for a week and then do, see what comes out. And don’t smell it. I warned you.

OJFord 4y ago
People's teeth (and brushing technique/effectiveness) are way too varied to make such a general statement. I flossed for the first time at some point in my 20s, did religiously for a year or so thereafter, and still do occasionally - but at no point was it like 'how on Earth have I not been doing this' or loads of gunk coming out, nevermind rotten and smelly. Maybe you have just the 'right' tooth gap that it's both too tight for your brushing but not so tight that stuff doesn't get stuck. (And for whatever it's worth, all dental check-ups since some point in my early teens at the latest have just been a quick look around and yep all good - I'm not saying this from a position (touching wood I don't eat my hat next time of course) of terrible dental health.)
- tonnydourado 4y ago
  > People's teeth (and brushing technique/effectiveness) are way too varied You're absolutely correct, because I don't floss that often, but every time I do a whole meal comes out, so I'm incredibly envious of your naturally clean teeth XD
  - 8ytecoder 4y ago
    Saliva does help in preventing bacteria build up. [1] [1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1961328/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1961328/
- wingworks 4y ago
  A checkup shouldn't be too quick, there are things they should be checking and looking out for: https://youtu.be/sDe50j0MFBU?t=95 https://youtu.be/sDe50j0MFBU?t=95 (Dental Office RED FLAGS)