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How an AP reporter took down flossing
Poynter ^ | 08/04/2016 | Kristen Hare

Posted on 08/06/2016 9:30:20 PM PDT by Trump20162020

When an orthodontist asked the reporter if he wanted a good story idea, the reporter, of course, said "yes."

Jeff Donn, a national writer with The Associated Press and 2012 Pulitzer finalist, was doubtful, at first, about that tip from his son's orthodontist: There's no solid evidence that flossing actually works.

"But when I started to look at research, I realized that it was a good tip — and definitely the best one I ever got from an orthodontist."

As a reporter who's covered the dangers of aging nuclear power plants, drug safety and abandoned oil wells, Donn was attracted to the floss story because it seemed so easy for people to grasp, he said.

It also ended up having a big impact.

After lots of research and a FOIA request, his inquiries caused a change in government guidelines recommending flossing. He spoke with Poynter via email about how the story developed, what the response has been and whether he's still flossing.

(Excerpt) Read more at poynter.org ...


TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: dentalcare; floss; flossing; jeffdonn; oralhealth
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To: Secret Agent Man

We had an old friend to dinner recently. He is an anesthesiologist, I do primary care so naturally some time was spent talking about Medicine. He pointed out the fraud in modern “evidence based” medicine and the bureaucracy we deal with. All physicians are required to do a number of things, board exams, CME, etc. there has never been any “evidence” to support ANY of that.


41 posted on 08/07/2016 5:14:43 AM PDT by wastoute (Government cannot redistribute wealth. Government can only redistribute poverty.)
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To: Trump20162020

I prefer the feeling of bits of chicken stuck between my teeth and gums......


42 posted on 08/07/2016 5:20:15 AM PDT by Hot Tabasco (If only Hillary had married OJ instead......)
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To: Trump20162020

Ignorance. First of all genetics are a factor. Some people can go their whole lives never flossing, getting their teeth cleaned once a year and never have a problem even into their 90s. It depends upon how fast plaque builds up. WHEN plaque builds up it dips below the gumline toward the bone and the bone “backs away” from it and so on and so on...This forms pockets between the gum and bone that gives bacteria a place to multiply and exude toxins that further attack the bone. This process has by the way been linked to heart attacks. The stuff stewing under your gums gets into the blood stream and poof off some people go.. I never flossed growing up and by the time I was 35 I needed “full quadrant” surgery. They take off the gum, plane down the nobs and hollers that have formed then put the gum back into place. I am now 57, I have flossed every night since and I haven’t lost a millimeter of bone and my gums barely bleed anywhere when I go for a cleaning. No recurrence of gingivitis at all since.


43 posted on 08/07/2016 5:33:35 AM PDT by TalBlack (Evil doesn't have a day job....)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom
I’m glad this crack reporter focused on something critically important.

It was either that or get shot dead walking home in an unreported incident.

44 posted on 08/07/2016 5:57:37 AM PDT by Eddie01 (Democrats are the Liquidate America Party)
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To: Bullish

And chrome plated piggy banks...


45 posted on 08/07/2016 5:58:53 AM PDT by Eddie01 (Democrats are the Liquidate America Party)
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To: Trump20162020

LOL - why am I not surprised.

There’s also no evidence that sticking little kids on computers and tablets (instead of texbooks) and giving them calculators to do math does any good? But virtually every school does it and parent KEEP RIGHT ON SENDING THEIR KIDS THERE, never even asking for poof...they just ‘trust’ a system INTENTIONALLY DESIGNED to ‘bring Americans down’ to a level that is a bit more average, when compared to all other countries.


46 posted on 08/07/2016 6:13:37 AM PDT by BobL (A vote for anyone but Trump is a vote that HELPS HILLARY. Think about it.)
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To: TalBlack

Yes...genetics....I had an ulcerated tooth at age 5, and many cavities all thru my youth...my 2 siblings...nada. And, I was the one who brushed my teeth the most.


47 posted on 08/07/2016 6:33:17 AM PDT by goodnesswins (Alinsky.....it's what's for dinner: with Cloward Piven for Dessert)
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To: Trump20162020

As the President, Founder and sole member of Car Flossers of America, I am deeply offended by this propagenda regarding flossing.

Honk your horn in support of flossing when you see me at a stop light with both hands in my mouth. I know it looks gross but it is for the children.

Keep on flossing, it works.


48 posted on 08/07/2016 6:43:48 AM PDT by super7man (Madam Defarge, knitting , knitting, always knitting)
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To: Some Fat Guy in L.A.

Orthodontists deal almost entirely with younger people and it can be VERY hard to floss around braces.

Older people develop ‘food traps’ and you have to get rid of ‘old food’ to avoid bad breath, decay etc. Flossing works very well for that.

So the orthodontist hammer is pounding the younger braces wearing nails that make up his patient list. The rest of us have to use common sense on what is best for us. I mean, you know, AP and ‘new’ govt guidelines - what could possibly go wrong.


49 posted on 08/07/2016 6:47:31 AM PDT by Let's Roll ("You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality" -- Ayn Rand)
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To: Trump20162020
"...Jeff Donn, a national writer with The Associated Press and 2012 Pulitzer finalist...As a reporter who's covered the dangers of aging nuclear power plants, drug safety and abandoned oil wells...

I am sick of these Ralph Nader wanna-be turds. "Oh, I am doing it for the people..." when all it probably is encompasses his inability to think of another nanny-state endeavor to push, or subject to bring him back to his glory days of his worthless Pulitzer Prize (a joke in itself)

He can stop flossing. It isn't my business, but I encourage him to do so. Hopefully it will improve his flapping gums.

50 posted on 08/07/2016 6:57:13 AM PDT by rlmorel (Orwell described Liberals when he wrote of those who "repudiate morality while laying claim to it.")
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To: Secret Agent Man

Just like “climate change”. I stopped believing the government a long time ago. Laws are made by idiots that were elected by idiots. Same goes for enforcement.


51 posted on 08/07/2016 7:46:55 AM PDT by GingisK
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To: TalBlack

Same story here.


52 posted on 08/07/2016 7:57:21 AM PDT by pilipo (We are not free.)
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To: TheNext
Dental health is more what you put inside that mouth.

+1

Weston A. Price traveled the world and found groups who'd never even seen a toothbrush with excellent dentition and health. With the introduction of industrialized food things went downhill rapidly - like within one generation.

53 posted on 08/07/2016 6:08:04 PM PDT by pa_dweller (Let the baby seal clubbing begin.)
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To: Trump20162020

Norm McDonald on flossing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV4Bpgia8vM

Skip ahead to 1:30, although the whole think is hilarious.


54 posted on 08/07/2016 6:19:35 PM PDT by Larry Lucido
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To: Larry Lucido

Dang wrong Norm MacDonald video.

Here is the correct one

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWn1sbAcs2I


55 posted on 08/07/2016 6:21:39 PM PDT by Larry Lucido
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To: Hoosier-Daddy

Per FReeper advice and commentary I began brushing with baking soda a few months ago.

My mouth does indeed feel cleaner.


56 posted on 08/07/2016 7:24:48 PM PDT by T-Bone Texan (Don't be a lone wolf. Form up small leaderlesss cells ASAP !)
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