From the Guidelines
There is no scientific data supporting the concept of "teeth flothing" as it is not a recognized dental practice or term in dentistry. The term "teeth flothing" does not appear to be related to any established dental hygiene practice. If you're referring to a different term, such as "teeth foaming" that occurs with some toothpastes, this is simply the result of surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate that create bubbles during brushing, but these bubbles don't provide additional cleaning benefits 1. For proper dental care,
- brush twice daily for two minutes using fluoride toothpaste,
- floss once daily, and
- visit your dentist regularly for checkups. The mechanical action of brushing and flossing is what removes plaque and food particles, while fluoride helps strengthen enamel and prevent cavities, as supported by studies on fluoride use 1. The foaming action of toothpaste may help distribute the cleaning agents throughout your mouth but isn't essential for effective cleaning. If you're concerned about oral hygiene, focus on thorough brushing technique rather than the amount of foam produced. It's also important to note that the use of chemical agents in toothpastes or mouthwashes can have varying effects on oral health, and there is ongoing research into novel natural product-based oral topical rinses and toothpastes to prevent periodontal diseases 1.
From the Research
Effectiveness of Flossing
- Flossing in addition to toothbrushing has been shown to reduce gingivitis compared to toothbrushing alone, with a statistically significant benefit at 1,3, and 6 months 2.
- There is weak, very unreliable evidence that flossing plus toothbrushing may be associated with a small reduction in plaque at 1 and 3 months 2.
- A randomized clinical trial found that supervised daily dental flossing regimens reduced interproximal gingivitis and gingival bleeding at 12 weeks, but did not significantly reduce interproximal plaque 3.
Comparison of Flossing Products
- A laboratory study compared the plaque reduction abilities of three floss products and found that GUM Expanding floss removed more plaque than Reach Mint Waxed and Oral-B Glide Pro-Health Deep Clean flosses 4.
- The study also found that increasing the flossing pressure from 50g to 150g resulted in greater plaque removal for both GUM Expanding floss and Reach Mint Waxed floss 4.
Barriers to Flossing
- A survey of participants in a clinical trial found that non-habitual users of floss were less likely to believe in the benefits of flossing and more likely to perceive barriers to using floss, such as fear of gingival bleeding and pain, and forgetting to floss 5.
- The survey also found that respondents who did not use floss regularly had a lower perceived risk of developing oral disease, despite having a clinically confirmed diagnosis of gingivitis 5.
Systematic Reviews
- A systematic review of 11 studies found that the adjunctive effect of flossing on plaque and gingivitis was not supported by scientific evidence, and that a routine instruction to use floss may not be justified 6.
- Another systematic review found that flossing plus toothbrushing may be associated with a small reduction in plaque and gingivitis, but the evidence was weak and unreliable 2.