FLOSSING UNNECESSARY? WHAT?????

In case you missed the story and accompanying flap, let me catch you up on the latest example of a department of the U.S. government making mischief.  In this case, the mischief will undoubtedly harm your patients’ oral health and make your care for them more difficult.  A recent report on dietary guidelines and personal health by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has caused a stir by omitting any mention of the benefits of flossing.  How this might affect the public’s attitude toward flossing remains to be seen, but Stephen Colbert may have summed it up best: “Now I can stop flossing. For the last 38 years.”  The American Dental Association has already issued a response reinforcing their continued support for flossing.

According to a DHHS spokesperson, recommendations in their guidelines must be supported by sound research, and the only studies on flossing are “weak” and “inconclusive.”  We understand that government agencies must be bound by their regulations, but we also understand the critical importance of flossing.

To put it simply, flossing is just common sense.  Floss was invented over a century ago because it was clear to its inventor and dental professionals of the time that brushing alone simply could not remove food debris and plaque from between the teeth or sub-gingivally.  Ask any hygienist, and he or she will tell you how easy it is to tell the difference between a patient who flosses and one who does not.  Ask them which one is harder to work on.  Ask any periodontist how many of his or her patients were regular flossers before their first visit to the practice.  Ask any dental professional about the effects of flossing on the incidence of interproximal caries and periodontal disease.

With such widespread empirical evidence, recognizing the benefits of flossing does not, in our opinion, require in-depth comprehensive research, in the same way we don’t need any comprehensive research or government recommendation to tell us that shielding our eyes from the direct rays of the sun will be beneficial to our vision.  We just know it.  It’s common sense.

Suggestion:  be prepared to answer numerous questions from your patients about the necessity of flossing.  Review with your dental team all the reasons flossing is beneficial so that answers to patients will be on the tip of your tongue.  Familiarize yourself with the ADA statement on flossing so that the reasoning included can be added to your armamentarium of information for your patients.  And consistently emphasize to patients the method of flossing and specific reasons flossing is beneficial to them, including less cost for extensive dental treatment, improved oral hygiene including no halitosis, and setting an example their children may follow to keep their own teeth healthy for a lifetime.