Pros and Cons of Dental Floss?

Question

My Dentist tells me to floss, but they are all just selling products, so not sure whether to believe or not. I´ve heard others say flossing is not a good idea. Please give me pros and cons to flossing everyday. Thanks.

Look at the bigger picture - my dentist might not make money selling it to me, but the whole dental industry does, and who teaches all the new dentists? Universities who are funded by the dental industry. There is always money behind every decision. You can´t blindly assume a person in authority. Think about it first.

Answer 1

pro: cleans between your teeth
cons: can get stuck, makes gaps between your teeth bigger

Answer 2

You must do something to get food particles and plaque from between your teeth, and under the gumline. If you don't you are risking tooth decay and gum disease.

You should floss carefully to avoid damaging your gums (some bleeding is normal when you first start to floss, it goes away after a couple weeks)...or pulling out your fillings. Waxed slides in easier, but leaves waxy residue on your teeth for other crap to stick to. This is why I floss first, then brush to remove as much as possible Maybe that is just a hangup I have. They also have different widths of floss and if your teeth are tighter you want thinner, shred free floss.

You can choose who you get your floss from, but most times if your dentist supplies you with stuff, it is the best, and the newest, and it's a free sample...so take it...and use it...

I've been to a lot of dentists, and none of them sold me anything at the front desk...but if they do have stuff laying around for sale, you don't HAVE to buy it.

Recently I abandoned my floss altogether in favor of a Waterpik, which is the same thing, except instead of string, I use jets of water to get the junk out. You can use diluted mouthwash or peroxide...

Answer 3

Without flossing food, plaque and bacteria are stuck between your teeth and eats away at the enamel. Flossing prevents the build up between teeth thus preventing cavities. There is a ton of research supporting this. Dentists don't make extra money for getting you to buy floss, so I don't see why they'd make it all up.

Answer 4

Flossing removes plaque, the most common cause of cavities and gum disease.

Sometimes vigorous flossing can cut the gums.

I doubt that your dentist is making a financial killing selling dental floss!

However, my dentist recommends this instrument instead. I love it! It's much easier to use, and as long as you operate it from both sides of the tooth, it works as well as floss:
http://www.dentakit.com/lohaspbr.html

Answer 5

Flossing is needed, your brush can't get in between teeth. The only down side is that I was doing it wrong and the floss was pressing up against my lips and it caused a cut. Unlike my girlfriend I have a small mouth and it is hard to maneuver.

I hope I didn't bore you, I was talking about getting a flossing utensil they have now when she fell asleep on me last night.

Answer 6

1

Answer 7

Unless you no longer want your teeth in the future. Flossing is important. It removes plaque and it is important to have all of your teeth when you are old.

Answer 8

I prefer using those little soft wooden toothpicks called 'Stimudent' or something like that.

The floss always breaks in my teeth and I end up with these strings hanging out of my mouth.

Answer 9

Pros....flossing definitely helps to reduce plaque, decay and gingivitis!

Cons... I find it very difficult to wash in my washing machine!

Answer 10

you dont have to buy it from your dentist you can buy it at the store. you use it to get the stuff out from between your teeth

Answer 11

No one who knows anything would say that flossing is a bad idea. Next time someone tells you that, ask them why. Flossing is the best way to disrupt plaque and other harmful bacteria in your mouth and keep tartar from building up, more helpful than brushing.