this post was submitted on 07 Jun 2026
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Ones that don't whittle on about flossing. In fact, one told me he preferred it if people didn't because they were just pushing bacteria into their gums.
you are probably flossing it wrong, you arnt suppose to jam it into the gums that will cause erosions and bleeding, and potential infection. also just move it from side to side once, not SAW it like you are sawing wood. depending on which flosser you are using. you do and "up and down motion"
Don't go back to that dentist..... There's a ton of research that proves flossing works as intended. Bacteria are really small, they don't need assistance to go into your gums. The point of flossing is that it removes the food and biofilm that gets stuck between teeth that bacteria feed upon and multiply.
It definitely at least stops plaque from forming, which otherwise irritates the gums so they eventually recede. Some people somehow just don't get plaque for some reason so in that case it's maybe pointless, but most people do.
It is funny though how dentists still feel closer to some kind of village shaman. Each performing their weird rituals, absolutely convinced that they're correct and all others are clearly wrong. Probably because they're not actual doctors and also happen to have a horrible monetary conflict of interest to let people have terrible teeth.
Brushing twice a day, properly (with good toothpaste and a good electric toothbrush) basically eliminates the need for flossing.
Nope, not even with an electric one. It doesn't get into the areas between the teeth at all.
No.
Whoa. Citations on this? I rememberJeff Donn did an expose on this released by the AP in 2016 and it turns out that there really wasn't good quality data on flossing at all. Has this changed since then?
Here ya go.
Determining what is and isn't quality data is kinda open to semantic interpretation. The reason there isn't a huge study like what you see with cancer or heart disease is because something like flossing is dependent on accurate and honest self reporting from participants. And it's not exactly something you can really tell if your participants are being diligent or not at a large scale.
lol bad dentist. Flossing is the only thing that has stopped my teeth from falling apart. Went from a cavity or root canal every couple years to near perfect checkups time after time. I brushed before, too.
it prevents tartar buildup on the gum lines, otherwise its very difficult to move without dentists appointments. there are toothpaste or tools, but those are not reccommended.
Naw don't say that I just started flossing daily ;-;