Can't floss, won't floss

Research shows that few individuals floss correctly and that this inability to floss properly may lead to a lack of motivation. It is important to recognise that when one is assessing the effectiveness of interdental cleaning methods, two points of reference should be considered. The first and most obvious is the theoretical efficacy of the method based on clinical evidence. A second point of reference is the practical efficacy influenced by the acceptability of the method to patients and therefore, their compliance. Historically, regular flossing compliance has been far less than ideal and the routine use of dental floss has consistently been shown to be dramatically low. Research has shown daily use among adults ranging from between 10 and 30 per cent. The reasons for this lack of compliance stem from two issues; firstly a lack of patient ability and secondly a lack of motivation.

Dental hygienist David Bridges certainly faced daily challenges with patient compliance failing to adopt his flossing advice. A typical case was Darren, a 46 year old male who had been suffering from a consistent, generalised, low grade, interdental chronic marginal gingivitis. The problem was thought to be entirely associated with Darren’s admitted non-use of an interdental cleaning regime despite being made aware of the risks he ran of more serious gingival problems, allied to his type two diabetes. He had a sporadic history using floss, PTFE tape and woodsticks at various times but would not adopt a regular habit.