HEALTH: Should you floss or not? Study says benefits unproven

Is there evidence to back up claims that flossing is good for you?

For decades dentists have recommended flossing as an essential part of oral hygiene. But how useful is it really?

An investigation by the Associated Press has revealed there is insufficient proof to back up this claim. The US Department for Health and Human Services and Agriculture admitted in a letter that the benefits of flossing had never been properly researched.


A British dentist at the University of Birmingham, Prof Damien Walmsley, also said there is only "weak evidence" to suggest flossing is beneficial.

But in a statement released Tuesday, the American Dental Association (ADA) vigorously defended flossing, saying it was an "essential part of taking care of your teeth and gums".

Why do dentists say flossing is good for you?

Many dentists have said flossing can help remove plaque, food build-up between the teeth, reduce the risk of gingivitis, gum disease, and reduce the risk of tooth decay.

In its statement the ADA said: "Cleaning between teeth removes plaque that can lead to cavities or gum disease from the areas where a toothbrush can't reach.

"Interdental cleaning is proven to help remove debris between teeth that can contribute to plaque build-up."
This advice is echoed by the UK's National Health Service on its website: "Dental floss helps to prevent gum disease by getting rid of pieces of food and plaque from between your teeth."

What does the evidence say?

The studies backing up the ADA's claims are outdated and only surveyed a small number of people, according to AP.

Evaluations of the other studies conducted in the past ten years, found evidence for flossing was "unreliable", "very low quality" and there was even "a moderate to large potential for bias".