Is flossing your teeth a waste of time?

The simple answer is no.

It contributes to maintaining gum health and the prevention of gum disease. Dental flossing, when performed correctly, is effective at removing interdental plaque and food debris. Some studies have even shown it to reduce tooth decay; however, its main value is its contribution to the maintenance of healthy gums and its contribution to the prevention of gum disease.

Sadly, the research also shows that generally people aren’t good at performing effective dental flossing. Instead, they wrestle with the floss and usually give up when they’ve accidentally made their gums sore. Traditionally, dental floss comes on a bobbin and is used by being wrapped around fingers. This can make controlling it’s insertion between teeth difficult. Reliance on fingers also makes adapting the floss to the tooth surface difficult and this makes completing the manoeuvers required to remove the plaque near impossible.   

Another way of looking at it is that the concept of dental flossing is scientifically proven whilst the art of performing it isn’t. Due to the difficulties associated with using floss from a traditional bobbin many gadgets have emerged, each designed with the purpose of making flossing easier and more effective; the single-use disposable floss pick being amongst the most popular. Users generally claim that the plastic handle of the floss pick is flimsy casing it to bend easily. They also say the floss attached to it also breaks easily and that they can’t reach their back teeth with it.

Interdental cleaning and flossing are only a small part of what is required for gum health. Gum health is dependent on dedicated self-performed daily oral hygiene aided by regular professional support from the dental team.

Dental flossing is not a skill one is born with, it has to be learnt. And, this is essential for it to be effective. The training is usually provided by a dental therapist, a dental hygienist or a dental oral health educator. These professionals are specifically trained to show patients how it’s done. The doing of it requires dedication and time. 

Commentators and people who make the claim that ‘flossing is a waste of time’ usually haven’t put the effort into developing the skill and usually haven’t ever dedicated the time to doing it consistently. Unfortunately, criticising a small part of the process, like flossing, whilst not committing to the full requirement is common (and lazy).

Most people who use dental floss, irrespective of whether they use it effectively or not, do so to boost their confidence. It also makes them less anxious about going to the dentist. Other’s do it to avoid bad breath.