- Joined
- Dec 30, 2010
- Messages
- 12,730
- Points
- 113
In all fairness, there is no evidence that flossing is effective in preventing tooth decay in the long run,’ says Dr Graham Barnby, a dentist from Marlow, Bucks, who is also a member of the Simply Health Advisory Research Panel, which analyses the latest research and medical thinking.
‘So in a sense, she does have a point. Yet although the benefits of flossing may be limited with tooth decay, flossing does have a role in the prevention of gum disease.’
Tooth decay occurs when acid in the mouth eats away at the teeth. This acid is found in foods, but is mainly produced when bacteria in the mouth ‘digest’ sugar — hence the reason sweets rot our teeth.
Gum disease, on the other hand, is caused by plaque — a film of bacteria on the teeth which, if not removed with brushing, irritates the gums, causing them to bleed and recede.
If left, the plaque hardens into tartar, which irritates the underlying bone of the gums and, in severe cases, can lead to wobbly teeth.
Some studies have even linked gum disease to heart disease, as the same bacteria found in the mouth have also been found in the heart.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/a...ert-says-theyve-got-wrong-.html#ixzz2D3bDpflN
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
‘So in a sense, she does have a point. Yet although the benefits of flossing may be limited with tooth decay, flossing does have a role in the prevention of gum disease.’
Tooth decay occurs when acid in the mouth eats away at the teeth. This acid is found in foods, but is mainly produced when bacteria in the mouth ‘digest’ sugar — hence the reason sweets rot our teeth.
Gum disease, on the other hand, is caused by plaque — a film of bacteria on the teeth which, if not removed with brushing, irritates the gums, causing them to bleed and recede.
If left, the plaque hardens into tartar, which irritates the underlying bone of the gums and, in severe cases, can lead to wobbly teeth.
Some studies have even linked gum disease to heart disease, as the same bacteria found in the mouth have also been found in the heart.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/a...ert-says-theyve-got-wrong-.html#ixzz2D3bDpflN
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
