A viewer asks: “For oral hygiene, is flossing as important as the dental profession has historically stated, or were recent studies more accurate indicating that brushing alone is enough? How should we best take care of our oral hygiene?”

Comparing the two, brushing is by far the most critical and beneficial to oral hygiene. Flossing does have a place and on occasion will remove material brushing does not dislodge, so it is complementary, and while not as essential, will add significantly at times. Because it is inexpensive and takes but a short time, it is still a useful practice, so we see only benefit here and little that is negative.