flossing: an ADA scam?

[oustemnow]

After numerous years of dental neglect (a financial/motivational matter) I have begun going to the dentist again, and have been told I must floss. I have spoken to several of my associates, who have told me that their own dentists have told them the same thing.

The thing is, when I was a child and went to the dentist regularly (I'm 36 now), the topic of flossing was nonexistent, and somehow people managed, by and large, to hold onto their teeth throughout their lifetimes.

Is flossing some BS phenomenon cooked up by the American Dental Association to wring more money out of the toothed community?

[kixot]

1. NO

Seriously, can you imagine a hidden conspiracy leading all the way from the supermarket rack up to johnson and johnson chairmen and down onto your dentist? Too vast to consider. Where's the hidden memo?

Look, it's no tin foil hat issue, here, just clean your teeth. Flossing helps.

[foo_bar]

2. just don't drink the fluoridated water

[Lizz612]

3. POE

"Peace on Earth
Purity of Essence"

What was the character's name? I know its from Dr. Strangeglove...

[EX-CONservative]

6. Jack D. Ripper

[zelda7743]

4. Hmmmm

I don't think previous generations kept their teeth that long. I've been working in long term care facilities for years and most people have dentures.
Honestly, how can you stand NOT to floss? All those bits of food stuck up in there? Yuck.

[SOteric]

5. Flossing is less about your teeth

and more about dental hygiene and your gum tissue. And, I'm not sure what data you're using in your assessment of times past, but the average age for denture fittings has moved.

Progressive gum disease can lead to tooth loss, but also to extreme sensitivity to hot and cold, to seriuos bad breath, it can render less successful some procedures -such as the root canal which grow more frequent in need as we age.

Quit looking for rationalisations. Just clean your teeth.

[oustemnow]

7. Yaargh! Flossing makes me gag!

Though I have taken hope in this new device, which is basically a toothbrsuh handle, with some sort of contraption at the end that allows you to string a bit of floss tightrope-style between its prongs. Have you seen this? DOes it work?

Also, what about mouthwash? Does the right mouthwash not take care of the problem? Also, I chew Dentyne like mad; does this not help?

[supernova]

8. Floss and rinse

with a good mouthwash. Make sure the mouthwash isn't loaded with sugar. That defeats the purpose.

You must floss. If you want to keep your teeth as long as possible, then floss. If you don't. Don't worry about it and soon you will have them all yanked and replaced with dentures. I'm sure Corarose can tell you all about what a joy that is. :eyes:

Flossing makes you gag? You can train yourselve to floss, even if you do gag.

[short bus president]

9. rinse with warm salt water

beats the hell out of the mouth-burning alcohol rinses, and is great for the gums.

[oustemnow]

10. Aye, I'll stick my face in the ocean each morning

and suck up a mouthful of its briney nectar. Thanks for the advice!

[supernova]

12. No!

a heaping teaspoon full of salt to a glass of water. Stir until disolved. It's simple, and really helps of your gums are inflamed and/or bleeding.

The larger question is what's your beef with taking good care of yourself?

[oustemnow]

18. LOL I don't have a "beef" with taking good care of myself

(actually, my habits are pretty shady, but that's a whole other thread) but, truthfully, I generally gag when I floss, especially when I'm working the molars; I just can't keep my big mouth open that long without some sort of reflex kicking in.

BUT, really, at the root of my question is the fact that i NEVER had a dentist caution me to floss when I was younger, and it seems that the science of dentistry has survived for centuries without this zealous emphasis on flossing.

[sam sarrha]

11. Water Pick rules !!!

[henslee]

25. right on you are right..... did you see the new tongue cleaner head refil

[nuxvomica]

13. I used to have bad dental problems until my dentist taught me how to floss

It is mostly for the gums but it removes particles that cause tooth decay as well. Once I was taught how to floss I found it quite enjoyable, like polishing silver or shining your shoes. I prefer flossing over brushing, which sometimes makes me gag.
The real conspiracy is mouthwash. It's not just worthless, it can kill the beneficial bacteria in your mouth. My dentist counseled me against using it for that reason.

[ex_jew]

14. Flossing helps prevent chronic infection that can cause heart

disease. Some people feel flossing is more important than brushing.

[supernova]

15. D'oh! You're right about heart disease

having two wonky valves myself, I should have explained that.

Having bacteria collect in your teeth is a primary cause of endocarditis, an infection of the heart valves. This is primarily for those of use who have misfit valves to start with.

[PartyPooper]

16. "Only floss the teeth you want to keep."

That used to be an expression widely used in the dental community in the 1970's.

My father remarked that some of his kin had kept their teeth into old age. The reason for this he attributed to toothpicks. Old geezers sitting on the porch after dinner with toothpicks in their mouths! I couldn't argue with that! Toothpicks do remove a lot of plaque and food particles. They stimulate the gums whilst removing bacteria.

But, the ADA is right with this edict.

Keep flossing!

:-)

[Susang]

17. I love flossing

Getting all that gunk out from in between my teeth gives me such a sense of accomplishment. ;-)

[Dogmudgeon]

19. Sinister conspiracy

Can anyone confirm that the ADA wants the Nanny State to start putting floss in the water supply?

--bkl

[BritishHuman]

20. Thanks for reminding me -

I'd almost forgotten I have a dental appointment today.

Must go floss now.

[Paschall]

21. Must be a global conspiracy

My dentist here in France can't keep his yap shut while he works on my teeth. And--no matter what the topic--he always manages to get back to "FLOSS, FLOSS, FLOSS!" He says the object of flossing is to remove the "food dust" from between teeth, where it can slowly sink below the gums... causing infection, etc., etc. I love that: "food dust."

By the way, when he's not bent over his patients he teaches dental surgery in a university hospital. So I take his word for it.

Other advice: (1) Use nothing but super-super-soft toothbrushes (on his recommendation, I use a "surgical" model). (2) Mouthwash is a "comfort product" that is insignificant for dental hygience. (3) The brand of toothpaste you use is unimportant; when you brush properly, they are all equally effective (he's done research on this and brushing methods, so--again--I trust him).

ON EDIT: One of the reasons why older generations may have managed to keep their teeth without flossing is that their diets were different. My dentist says his favorite patients are African immigrants because they have such beautiful teeth--not like us Europeans who eat so many "soft foods" that are more likely to cause plaque. "Harder foods" tend to scrape nastiness off the teeth naturally. Or so he explains.

[Spider Jerusalem]

22. No...

flossing IS THE ANSWER.

(thumbs up to anyone recognising the reference.)

[VOX]

23. The ADA is gonna get more $$$ out of making false choppers for you...

No flossing = gum disease; gum disease = no teeth or worse. Flossing takes less than a minute a day and is cheap to do.

Just do it.

[DivinBreuvage]

24. Please floss... for the sake of those

who have to be exposed to your breath. As someone who has had to suffer in close proximity to a couple of co-workers with atrocious dental hygiene I make this plea from the bottom of my heart.

Françoise