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Aha! (mander.xyz)
submitted 5 months ago by to c/science_memes@mander.xyz
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[+] -8 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (8 children)

Some people somehow just don't get plaque for some reason so in that case it's maybe pointless, but most people do.

Brushing twice a day, properly (with good toothpaste and a good electric toothbrush) basically eliminates the need for flossing.

EDIT: ITT, people who don't realize flossing is terribly ineffective and hasn't been recommended by the US government for a decade now, because studies showed that the floss wire doesn't provide enough friction to actually effectively clean anything. If you find that despite thorough brushing you still build up plaque, occasionally use a toothpick instead.

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  • [–] 5 points 5 months ago* (5 children)

    Nope, not even with an electric one. It doesn't get into the areas between the teeth at all if you're using it at intended pressures.

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  • [–] -1 points 5 months ago (4 children)

    A proper toothbrush has bristles for that specific purpose... Proper toothpaste gets into those areas too to help remove any plaque. If you maintain it properly, there's no reason to floss in addition.

    In fact, flossing is a terrible way to remove plaque. The wire itself doesn't provide enough friction to remove just about anything. It's why the US government hasn't recommended daily flossing since 2016. It's nice you can get a wire in between your teeth, unfortunately you're not really cleaning anything with it there.

    If you find you're still building up plaque even after brushing thoroughly, use a toothpick instead, that is a more effective way to clean it.

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  • [–] 4 points 5 months ago* (3 children)

    Well I'm convinced that you're on of those people that doesn't get any plague, or maybe a dentist from the 1950s. That's just not true for most people.

    "US government does something since 2016" probably equals Trump gutted something important, hell even the US's CDC has been defunded.

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  • [–] 3 points 5 months ago (1 child)

    This place really is not that different from Reddit. "iN fAcT yOu ShOuLdN't FlOsS..." wtf kind of backward assed fart steam is that shit?

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  • [–] -2 points 5 months ago*

    No, this is a government recommendation based on scientific evidence. If you don't believe the US government (which is fine), the Belgian government for example stopped recommending daily flossing as well.

    Btw, the belief that flossing is very important is quite antiquated. We now know for example that plaque and general oral hygiene actually isn't correlated with the formation of cavities(!). It's various strains of streptococcus bacteria that do. Brushing helps, but diet is actually far more important (which is why there's people who never brushed in their life and don't have a single cavity). It's why some areas or countries are known for poor teeth, even if they brush more than average. It's the diet that's common, the people didn't all forget how to brush their teeth.

    There are mouthwashes you can do of course, and brushing your teeth does help prevent bacteria from growing in your mouth too much. But it doesn't altogether prevent it either. Removing plaque through flossing is just inefficient, use a toothpick instead. Far more effective!

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