Removing Plaque

There's a new toothpaste, Plaque HD, that stains your plaque & makes it more likely you'll brush till it's gone.
You know what removes the plaque a brush can't reach? - Our friend, Dental Floss!

How to Dispose of Dental Floss?

Trash it, Don't Splash (flush) It!

https://www.edmonton.ca/programs_services/garbage_waste/recycling.aspx/zoo#!rc-cpage=127520

Cam Newton Flossing!

Now millions of mothers will be heard saying to their sons (and daughters), "Maybe if you flossed more, you might be the MVP!"

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000697386/article/cam-newton-busts-out-the-sideline-floss-in-opener

Lack of evidence for effectiveness is not proof of non-effectiveness...

Snopes.com commented on the flossing evidence story and here's the conclusion from the closing paragraph:

"However, the decision to drop flossing from list of federal guidelines came not because there was solid evidence that it was ineffective, but because there was a dearth of non-anecdotal evidence — due to the ethical and practical considerations inherent in conducting a broad and long-term study on the practice — that flossing effectively prevents tooth decay and gingivitis."  

http://www.snopes.com/2016/08/06/flossing-isnt-backed-by-science/

Nuf said?

Dr. T has been asked to say more, and he did - to a reporter for Dr. Bicuspid (Yes, it exists.)

Flossing, like most of the cleaning we do in life, isn't being done only because of some long range health effects.  It's done because patients and professionals can see (and often smell) that flossing is cleaning away matter that is missed by brushing.

The fact that the dental profession has often suggested that interdental cleaning with floss has health effects that aren't proven is something that should be made clear.  But clarifying the lack of data for long term health effects of flossing doesn't really undermine the usefulness of floss as a cleaning tool.

Dr. T.

 

Proof of Floss Effectiveness

A new story about "no proof that floss is effective." Collecting scientific evidence about effectiveness in a complex system like the mouth is very difficult, so we shouldn't be surprised. When you look and smell floss after using it, you'll get some clear evidence of how flossing cleans your mouth. 'Nuf said. Dr. T.

http://www.sfgate.com/news/science/article/Medical-benefits-of-dental-floss-unproven-9029154.php

Water Flossers vs Dental Floss

Here's a link to an article by a student, Jack Niederer, that will tell you all you'd care to know about water flossers (Waterpiks) and dental floss.
For us at the NFC they're both means to do interdental cleaning.
Using string to floss (and probably other fibers, like horsehair, long before string) has become a tradition over the last 200 years, but there's no reason newer forms of interdental cleaning couldn't improve on string.
As you'll see in the article, people who don't have a product to push will encourage you to use both, if you can.
Great work, Jack!
Floss on!

http://thetoothsayer.com/waterpik-vs-flossing/