this post was submitted on 07 Jun 2026
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[–] ChairmanMeow@programming.dev -1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

No, this is a government recommendation based on scientific evidence. If you don't believe the US government (which is fine), the Belgian government for example stopped recommending daily flossing as well.

Btw, the belief that flossing is very important is quite antiquated. We now know for example that plaque and general oral hygiene actually isn't correlated with the formation of cavities(!). It's various strains of streptococcus bacteria that do. Brushing helps, but diet is actually far more important (which is why there's people who never brushed in their life and don't have a single cavity). It's why some areas or countries are known for poor teeth, even if they brush more than average. It's the diet that's common, the people didn't all forget how to brush their teeth.

There are mouthwashes you can do of course, and brushing your teeth does help prevent bacteria from growing in your mouth too much. But it doesn't altogether prevent it either. Removing plaque through flossing is just inefficient, use a toothpick instead. Far more effective!