Conclusions: Interproximal gingival inflammation may be significantly reduced by toothbrushing alone, the effect being significantly enhanced when toothbrushing is combined with dental floss.
On the 'dentists don't really know what they're doing' front, my kid's orthodontist ($$$$) describes himself as a "fencing contractor". Conversely, I got the water flosser tip from an Indonesian dentist who I hired opportunistically on holiday for a clean; he turned up in flip-flops but decanted to bare feet during operating and gave the most sage advice I've ever had in 40+ years of dentists: BUY A WATER FLOSSER. Terimakasih, Doktor!
If I don't floss my breath smells terrible because of bacteria and bacteria causes tooth decay. I'm pretty certain I'm not special.
Some people get lucky, and even with low brushing, won't get cavities.
It is not sugar that causes dental caries, but bacteria. Flossing that old food out from between teeth is guaranteed to cut down bacteria growth!
Furthermore, my new and wonderful dentist and his hygienists wholeheartedly recommend and encourage the practice.
So perhaps you can excuse me for ignoring a singular “research study”.
> The evidence was limited in applicability and was incomplete. The included studies only presented data on gingivitis, plaque, and adverse events; most did not measure or report other important outcomes such as periodontitis or interproximal caries. … Additional use of floss or interdental brushes compared to toothbrushing alone may reduce gingivitis or plaque, or both, and interdental brushes may be more effective than floss. The evidence is low to very low‐certainty, and the effect sizes observed may not be clinically important.
Not only does flossing remove quite a bit of, er... stuff... that toothbrushing does not seem to get, I have not had a single new cavity in 25 years. The only issues I've had were old fillings falling out, including one that cracked my tooth which required a crown. Not a lot of work considering the time span.
Obviously one person is not "data" but seeing as I am that one person, I'm going to keep flossing.