I was stunned by a recent Associated Press headline that heralded, “Medical benefits of dental floss unproven.”
One thing I know for sure: flossing is the only fool-proof way to ensure that your gums stay healthy. But here’s the catch: flossing won’t help if you do it wrong.
I’ve seen patients who floss two or three times a day, but they get poor results because they don’t know to do it properly. But after I teach them how to floss correctly, they begin improving almost immediately flossing once a day.
Flossing is really your first line of defense against gum disease. Even though brushing and rinsing your mouth after eating can reduce bacteria by 30 percent, it is like hosing off your car to get it clean. It’s just not thorough. No matter how good you brush, you must always floss.
For thorough instructions on how to floss correctly, get my article here.
