alt Hacker NewsOK, and my anecdote is that for forty years I used no toothpaste at all, brushed only before bed, didn't floss, never went to the dentist, and had perfect teeth. The conclusion of this limited study is: whatever.
I guess I should admit that eventually I got lazy and skipped a night, and immediately got a cavity that led to having a tooth removed, and now I use toothpaste and floss. But still, anecdotes, what are they worth.
I learned that dentists make their money by doing procedures that have little overhead and high returns.
I read about patients who would go one dentist that said they found X cavities and then go to another dentist that would say 'zero' were found.
I tested it myself when I was told I required extensive cleaning beneath the gums and the next dentist, who has a 3 month waiting list, said it was not required and my teeth were fine.
I no longer believe any dentist and considering most are now private equity operated it makes sense.