Floss Your Teeth - On The Double!

In dental offices all over
the world, patients are often told they are not flossing enough or
instructed to floss more. As the old saying goes, you only need to floss
the teeth you want to keep. After all, not flossing regularly can lead to
tooth decay and to periodontal disease, the leading cause of tooth loss in
adults.



A recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology (JOP), the
official publication of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP)
demonstrates that including flossing as part of one's routine oral care can
actually help reduce the amount of gum disease-causing bacteria found in
the mouth, therefore contributing to healthy teeth and gums.



The study, conducted at New York University, examined 51 sets of twins
between the ages of 12 and 21. Each set was randomly assigned a 2-week
treatment regiment with one twin brushing with a manual toothbrush and
toothpaste and the other twin brushing with a manual toothbrush and
toothpaste and flossing. At the end of the two week trial, samples were
taken from both pairs of twins and compared for levels of bacteria commonly
associated with periodontal disease.



The study findings indicated that those twins who did not floss had
significantly more of the bacteria associated with periodontal disease when
compared to the matching twin who flossed in addition to tooth-brushing
with toothpaste.



"This study illustrates the impact flossing can have on oral health.
The twins experimental model is a powerful tool to help sort out genetic
and environmental factors that often confound the interpretation of
treatment studies. This study demonstrates that flossing can have an
important and favorable impact on an individual, as compared to that of a
non-flossing individual with similar genetics and possibly similar habits,"
explains Dr. Kenneth Kornman, editor or the Journal of Periodontology.
"Twins tend to share the same or similar environmental factors such as
dietary habits, health and life practices, as well as genetics. In this
case, the only difference was flossing, and the outcome was significant.
Flossing may significantly reduce the amount of bad bacteria in the mouth."



The study results support that old saying, and show that including
flossing as an integral part of your regular oral care can help reduce the
amount of periodontal disease-causing bacteria in the mouth; therefore
helping you keep your teeth. Periodontal disease is an infection caused by
a build-up of bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly
forms on your teeth. Flossing, or using interdental cleaners, helps clean
the bacterial plaque from between your teeth that regular brushing can't
reach.



"As a practicing periodontist, I am constantly telling my patients to
clean between their teeth more using dental floss or interdental cleaners,"
says Dr. Susan Karabin, President of the AAP. "Patients tend to think that
flossing can't possibly make that much of a difference. But this study
demonstrates that the addition of flossing to your dental hygiene routine
can significantly reduce the amount of periodontal disease causing
bacteria. Even after just two weeks!"



About the American Academy of Periodontology



The American Academy of Periodontology is an 8,000-member association
of dental professionals specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and
treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the
teeth and in the placement and maintenance of dental implants. Periodontics
is one of nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental
Association.


American Academy of Periodontolgy

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