· 1 min read
Flossing: the boring truth
The evidence is weaker than dentists imply and stronger than the internet claims.
Dental Health
Every few years a headline announces that flossing does nothing. Every few years dentists respond by insisting it is essential. Both are overstating a genuinely mixed evidence base.
What the studies actually show
Trials on flossing are short, small and rely on people self-reporting a habit they are embarrassed about. What they consistently show is a modest reduction in gum inflammation. What they do not show, clearly, is a large reduction in cavities between teeth.
What we tell patients
Interdental brushes beat floss for most adults, because they are easier to use correctly and people actually keep doing them. Technique and consistency matter more than which tool you pick.