What Is All the Fuss About Dental Floss?
So you have just left your bi-annual dental checkup with your customary sample dental floss and reminder to floss on a daily basis. Did your dentist tell you why flossing is so important? Maybe you are wondering why he gives out free dental floss to all of his patients? What is the big deal about flossing, and when did this aspect of dental hygiene get started? Understanding the need for and history of dental floss may help you remember to use that sample dental floss you carry in your hands.The Long History of Dental Floss
Dental floss is not a new invention. In fact, the history of dental floss dates back to the early 1800s. In 1815, a New Orleans dentist named Levi Spear Parmly began to recommend to his patients that they use silk floss to floss between their teeth. This recommendation has earned him the right to be called the inventor of dental floss, although he did not actually have a hand in inventing any floss in and of itself.People who heard and chose to heed his recommendation would use their own silk floss to floss their teeth. However, this was not a wide spread habit, and you could not purchase dental floss in the store as you can today. Codman and Shurtleft made the first dental floss to be used by humans in 1882, quite a few years after Dr. Parmly's recommendation. This was an un-waxed silk floss. In 1898 the first patent for dental floss was awarded to Johnson & Johnson. Even though it was now being marketed for human use, most people did not use it.
After World War II, Dr. Charles C. Bass first discovered that nylon floss could be used as dental floss. It held up better under the job and had more elasticity. Today's dental floss is made out of biodegradable materials and is coated with wax to make flossing easier and more comfortable. Many of the waxes are flavored in mint or cinnamon to put a good taste in the user's mouth.
Statistics About Dental Floss
Even though the use and recommendation of gum dental floss dates back over 100 years, it is not used by many people. In America, nearly everyone brushes their teeth. However, American Dental Association statistics show that only 12 percent of those same Americans choose to floss every day. In fact, nearly half of all Americans never floss! That is a scary statistic when you understand the need for dental floss and the fact that many people can get free dental floss from their dentists.The Need for Dental Floss
So why do you need to purchase dental floss? What does gum dental floss do for your overall dental hygiene? When you brush your teeth, you remove the bacteria and left behind food from the surface of your teeth. No matter how well you brush, however, some bacteria are left between your teeth. Your toothbrush simply cannot reach the small spaces between each tooth. When bacteria and food build up in this area, they develop into plaque, which is harmful mucus that can cause gum disease.When you floss, much of this bacteria, food, and plaque are removed. You will remove 35% more of the junk out of your mouth when you combine flossing with brushing. If you do not floss, the plaque will harden and turn into tartar, which will eventually cause gingivitis.
Choosing Dental Floss
When your sample dental floss is all gone, how can you choose the best dental floss? Dental floss is not expensive, so you could purchase dental floss made by several companies and try them all to see which one you like best. However, dental floss does last a long time, so this could take a while for you to do. You could also go online and read dental floss reviews to see which are the most durable types of dental floss. Dental floss reviews could save you time and frustration as you shop for gum dental floss. You could also ask your dentist if there is a brand he recommends.Some people do not enjoy flossing because it requires them to wind the dental floss tightly around their fingers, which can be uncomfortable. There are ways around this problem with new dental floss inventions. For instance, you can buy disposable "flossers" that have a tiny bit of dental floss suspended between two plastic pieces. You insert this floss between your teeth while holding on to a plastic handle. You can also buy a similar item that is not disposable. You simply wind the dental floss between the plastic pieces your self, and then replace it with fresh floss when you are done. Either one of these items will help you to floss without hurting your fingers.
So before you throw away that free dental floss your dentist gave you, stop and think about your teeth. Do you want harmful tartar to build up in your mouth? Of course you do not, so use that sample dental floss and take a step towards having a healthier mouth!
