[taco.vidal]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/dental-floss-1.3703798

No strong proof that flossing your teeth has medical benefit - Weak evidence behind advice to floss to avoid gum disease

CBC News Posted: Aug 02, 2016 8:58 AM ET Last Updated: Aug 02, 2016 5:41 PM ET

The U.S. government has recommended flossing for decades. It was included in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which stated: "A combined approach of reducing the amount of time sugars and starches are in the mouth, drinking fluoridated water, and brushing and flossing teeth, is the most effective way to reduce dental caries."

In the 2015 version, that recommendation is no longer included.

The news agency looked at the most recent rigorous research, focusing on 25 studies that generally compared the use of a toothbrush with the combination of toothbrushes and floss. The findings? The evidence for flossing is "weak, very unreliable," of "very low" quality, and carries "a moderate to large potential for bias."

A 2015 review published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology also concluded "the majority of available studies fail to demonstrate that flossing is generally effective in plaque removal."