Flossing your teeth, the problem with science, art and how flossing helps patients according to their dentists experience. Randomized controlled trials has become the gold standard for evidence based medicine, is called into question when it comes to flossing your teeth, which according to your dentist is important for health gums, fewer cavities and the reduction of harmful bacteria that can cause other systemic health problems. Flossing according to most dentists has shown its benefits, but unfortunately, not so much when randomized controlled trials are done. Is there evidence for its effectiveness; sure, but what about your doctors clinical experience over many years, when they see the long term benefits to their patient's than may not be showing up in scientific studies? Is there any clinical harm in continuing a practice that you may in your own life contribute to good dental health? Check out this NY times article regarding the discussion about flossing Flossing and the Art of Scientific Investigation By JAMIE HOLMES NOV. 25, 2016 It"™s bad enough that expertise is under attack these days from populist political movements that dismiss specialist opinion as just another establishment ruse. But lately expertise is being criticized from another direction, too "” from would-be defenders of science. Consider the recent controversy over flossing. In August, a widely read Associated Press report suggested that, contrary to the advice of dentists everywhere, flossing didn"™t necessarily foster good oral health. The report looked at 25 studies that had generally compared toothbrushing and flossing with toothbrushing alone and concluded that the evidence for the benefits of flossing was weak. In response, the Department of Health and Human services, the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry reaffirmed the importance of interdental cleaning. But confusion persists: A lot of people now mistakenly think that "œscience" doesn"™t support flossing. Read more