Floss
Your Teeth - On the Double!
[Submitted
by Dr Andreas Siebold on 15 October, 2008]
Twin
Study Published in the Journal of Periodontology Demonstrates that
Flossing Can Decrease the Occurrence of Gum Disease-causing Bacteria
CHICAGO - August 5, 2008 - In dental offices all over the world,
patients are often told they are not flossing enough or instructed to
floss more. As the old saying goes, you only need to floss the teeth you
want to keep. After all, not flossing regularly can lead to tooth decay
and to periodontal disease, the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
A recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology (JOP), the
official publication of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP)
demonstrates that including flossing as part of one's routine oral care
can actually help reduce the amount of gum disease-causing bacteria
found in the mouth, therefore contributing to healthy teeth and gums.
The study, conducted at New York University, examined 51 sets of twins
between the ages of 12 and 21. Each set was randomly assigned a 2-week
treatment regimen with one twin brushing with a manual toothbrush and
toothpaste and the other twin brushing with a manual toothbrush and
toothpaste and flossing. At the end of the two week trial, samples were
taken from both pairs of twins and compared for levels of bacteria
commonly associated with periodontal disease.
The study findings indicated that those twins who did not floss had
significantly more of the bacteria associated with periodontal disease
when compared to the matching twin who flossed in addition to
tooth-brushing with toothpaste.
"This study illustrates the impact flossing can have on oral
health. The twins experimental model is a powerful tool to help sort out
genetic and environmental factors that often confound the interpretation
of treatment studies. This study demonstrates that flossing can have an
important and favourable impact on an individual, as compared to that of
a non-flossing individual with similar genetics and possibly similar
habits," explains Dr. Kenneth Kornman, editor of the Journal of
Periodontology. "Twins tend to share the same or similar
environmental factors such as dietary habits, health and life practices,
as well as genetics. In this case, the only difference was flossing, and
the outcome was significant. Flossing may significantly reduce the
amount of bad bacteria in the mouth."
The study results support that old saying, and show that including
flossing as an integral part of your regular oral care can help reduce
the amount of periodontal disease-causing bacteria in the mouth;
therefore helping you keep your teeth. Periodontal disease is an
infection caused by a build-up of bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless
film that constantly forms on your teeth. Flossing, or using interdental
cleaners, helps clean the bacterial plaque from between your teeth that
regular brushing can't reach.
"As a practicing periodontist, I am constantly telling my patients
to clean between their teeth more using dental floss or interdental
cleaners," says Dr. Susan Karabin, President of the AAP.
"Patients tend to think that flossing can't possibly make that much
of a difference. But this study demonstrates that the addition of
flossing to your dental hygiene routine can significantly reduce the
amount of periodontal disease causing bacteria. Even after just two
weeks!"
To learn more about gum disease, locate a periodontist, or to find out
if you are at risk for periodontal diseases, visit perio.org or call
(800) FLOSS-EM (800/356-7736).
About the American Academy of Periodontology
The American Academy of Periodontology is an 8,000-member association of
dental professionals specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and
treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of
the teeth and in the placement and maintenance of dental implants.
Periodontics is one of nine dental specialties recognized by the
American Dental Association.
From:
Meg Dempsey
American Academy of Periodontology
312/573-3242
meg@perio.org
