The Sound Of Settled Science

I never floss or use a toothpick unless I have eaten stringy meat, mango's or corn on the cobb; however it is only after having my teeth cleaned by a dental assistant will my gums be as sensitive as a university student. The last dental assistant actually told me to keep doing what I was doing since it is seeming to work. From what I have been noticing for myself in the past 25 years is that my mouth in general seems to be better when I am not under a dental plan.

"Researchers found that companies that make dental floss paid for most of the studies and sometimes designed and conducted the research themselves."

"The American Dental Association is standing by its recommendation to floss daily."

Thank God the AMA is immune to influences from things like The Merck Manual. :) Anyone who believes any drug therapy for virtually any condition is based on better science probably believes in obamacare.

Same folks that insist on fluoride in the water.

The mosquitoes spreading Zika in Miami are proving harder to eradicate than expected, the nation's top disease-fighter said Tuesday as authorities sprayed clouds of insecticide in the ground-zero neighbourhood , emptied kiddie pools and handed out cans of insect repellent to the homeless.

Dr. Tom Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the mosquito-control efforts in the bustling urban neighbourhood aren't achieving the hoped-for results, suggesting the pests are resistant to the insecticides...
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/governor-14-florida-zika-cases-153520809.html?nhp=1

Researchers found that companies that make dental floss paid for most of the studies and sometimes designed and conducted the research themselves..... No kidding... I of course am shocked ....

Having made fun of the AMA I would like to add that there is a lot of research that no one will pay for other than the companies promoting the product. Most of the research into condom effectiveness is probably done by the condom companies. It doesn't mean that condoms don't work. Of course they do. They keep your cigarettes dry. Just don't try asking for the size that fits a camel.

Started flossing regularly at around 22 yrs old. I'm 57 and other than 2 crowns (only 1 root canal) they're all still there - including all my wisdom teeth. Letting crap rot between your teeth ain't healthy for your mouth. Or your breath.

Love fresh garlic. What time can I pick it up.

To Kate (and the other contributors),

Damn I wish I had more time so I could read everything here!

This blog is FANTASTIC!

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/379049

"The results demonstrated that a mouthwash which released hydrogen peroxide effectively prevented the colonization of filaments, fusiforms, motile and curved rods as well as spirochetes in developing plaque.
...
"It is suggested that H202 released by mouthwashes during rinsing may prevent or retard the colonization and multiplication of anaerobic bacteria."

Hydrogen peroxide bottles use to have "mouth wash" written on them. Probably the floss people lobbied to take that claim off most bottles because H2O2 is something that actually works. Can't have that - who's going to buy the floss?

A day doesn't go by that I don't read of a study that contradicts another study so I've concluded there are too many researchers in the world.

Rotten teeth are mostly caused by a high carbohydrate diet. Carbohydrates are just a long chain of sugar.
The food pyramid is upside down.

When my dentist finally convinced me to floss daily, the health of my gums improved markedly, so I'll keep flossing, just the same.

Grey lady actually I love you. We do not get grey by accident. I wish you well.

“Each manufacturer is charged $14,500 for the evaluation. If it approves the product, the ADA then charges an additional annual fee of $3,500.”

Gee, sounds a lot like the CSA...and a bunch of so-called 'professional' organizations. The way they push statins, and keep lowering the threshold for the prescription of same is proof enough of that.

My gums bled and became puffy a lot until I started flossing and water picking regularly.. Flossing to improve gum and tooth longevity gets my vote. Dental floss is also great for pulling out loose baby teeth too. Just took care of one tonight. :)

I do what my dentist says. Floss. I also use a parodontal mouthwash, and that help keep things clean. The dentist doesn't sell floss, so why would he lie about flossing?? As a matter of fact, he gives it away free!

Fat and meat eaters don't have bad teeth. No floss needed.

My gums became noticeably healthier once I began flossing regularly. I don't need a scientific study to convince me of that. Before, gums would often bleed. Now, never.

You don't need floss to stimulate your gums - try eating something other than pablum, mashed bananas, or pudding.

less flossing, more decay, more work for dentists

I use those plastic toothpicks with a bit of floss built in. Never had the patience or dexterity for flossing. Seems to work.

I use those plastic toothpicks with a bit of floss built in. Never had the patience or dexterity for flossing. Seems to work.