Flossing has become ingrained as a dental hygiene imperative in the United States. It does not have an exact equivalent in French, illustrating a cultural chasm between oral hygiene norms. Google Translate gives you this phrase “passer la soie dentaire,” which translates literally to “passing dental silk between your teeth.” Curiously, this practice has not caught on in France. In 2015, the US Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services removed references to flossing from their dietary guidelines, citing limited data supporting its benefits. True to form, flossing has stuck around as an important pillar of preventative dental care in the US, in contrast to across the pond in France.
Flossing effectiveness is an issue that remains contentious. Yet a 2015 review found there’s not enough solid studies to demonstrate that it actually does a good job of removing plaque. Yet we continue to advocate flossing for its acclaimed use in cleaning the spaces between teeth that toothbrushes leave behind. Dr. Sally J. Cram, a periodontist and spokesperson for the American Dental Association, advises that plaque must be removed every day. She says people who brush their teeth and gumline once a day tend to avoid serious dental issues.
This bacteria-laden plaque, a sticky accumulation of bacteria and food debris, starts forming on teeth as soon as ten minutes after a meal. If not addressed, it can cause periodontal disease by gradually eating away the jawbone over the years. Though these risks exist, flossing has no place of priority within France— dental care is mainly funded by social security systems.
What’s at stake Dr. Adriana Agachi , a pediatric dentist in Paris, identifies the biggest concern. Preventative care have greatly lacked attention overall in France. This cultural difference is echoed by Jessica Reed, who refers to flossing as “another American imposition on her relaxed French lifestyle.” Flossing is a relatively new and American dental practice. This perception really drives home the different attitudes and perceptions toward oral hygiene practices between the US and Japan.
Dr. Cram does recognize the lack of long-term studies on flossing, but stands by flossing’s effectiveness in preventing disease and promoting healthy smiles. “When you help people take care of their teeth at home, they have fewer cavities and less gum disease,” she asserts.
In comparison, many European countries including Switzerland place a strong focus on routine prevention to keep significant dental problems from ever developing. In France, with a more relaxed attitude towards dental care, many people don’t consider flossing necessary. As a French colleague, Jessica Reed, noted, she shouldn’t have to struggle to find a euphemism for flossing.
Flossing has been the single most important part of preventing periodontal disease in the US. It’s like flossing in that it efficiently prevents plaque from doing any damage in the first place. Left unchecked, plaque buildup can cause gums to bleed and be painful, Dr. Cram says.
This American obsession with flossing is at odds with the French view, where one thinks of dental care as being more reactive than preventative. Dr. Adriana Agachi echoes this sentiment by stating, “Preventative care has not traditionally been a priority in France.”