> The opportunity cost is low. You have nothing to lose by doing it, other than a couple bucks spent on floss.
I have ADHD. I hate flossing, and I'd put off flossing to the point where I wrecked my sleep cycle and tended to end up just not brushing my teeth before bed.
Ever since I stopped flossing, I've basically always brushed my teeth and have kept my sleep cycle more successfully.
Yes, I know this is potentially very bad dentally, but frankly I'm sick of having a catastrophically unreliable sleep cycle due to my mental illness and I'm willing to accept half-assing it if it means it doesn't destroy my life.
That said, I have no particular opinion on the evidentiary base of flossing - my dentist has always recommended I floss, and I believe his recommendation. I would floss if I could.
My situation somewhat overlaps with yours. I ordered a "water flosser" from everyone's favourite ecommerce site, and use it daily in the shower.
It seems to be doing something, and can't possibly be worse than my previous flossing regime which was: "twice a year the day before a dentist visit".
I wasn't willing to shell out for the name-brand water flosser, other options do the same job at the same water pressure for 1/4 the cost.
It took about a month to move up through the power settings. Start on the lowest and click it up when that starts to feel a bit tame.
I've now been using this thing for 6 months, it's just about time to find out whether I get my bi-annual nagging about the importance of flossing. My personal opinion: Cochrane's probably right, flossing is most likely bunk, but I'm pleased to have found a way to do it that I can stand
I have ADHD. I hate flossing, and I'd put off flossing to the point where I wrecked my sleep cycle and tended to end up just not brushing my teeth before bed.
Ever since I stopped flossing, I've basically always brushed my teeth and have kept my sleep cycle more successfully.
Yes, I know this is potentially very bad dentally, but frankly I'm sick of having a catastrophically unreliable sleep cycle due to my mental illness and I'm willing to accept half-assing it if it means it doesn't destroy my life.
That said, I have no particular opinion on the evidentiary base of flossing - my dentist has always recommended I floss, and I believe his recommendation. I would floss if I could.