Dental floss and the act of flossing is one of the most essential elements and routines in proper oral hygiene. Surprisingly, studies show that only 12 percent of Americans floss on a daily basis. There are a number of reasons why people don’t floss, but not knowing about the process certainly can’t be one of them.
Why? Well, that is because flossing has been around for more than 200 years.
Although there are some records and evidence of flossing tracing back to prehistoric times, many point modern flossing practice to a famous New Orleans dentist named Dr. Levi Spear Parmly, who introduced his patients to the act of using a silk thread to clean between their teeth way back in 1815, according to Spear.
More than half a century later, in 1882, dental floss reached the mainstream when the Codman and Shurleft Co. began mass-producing a brand of unwaxed floss before Johnson and Johnson patented the product a few years later in 1898.
Dental floss hit a rough patch during the World War II when the price of silk rose, so manufacturers decided to swap that hard-to-get material for a much less expensive option – nylon. Not only was nylon less expensive, but it was also more consistent and more resistant to shredding than silk. From there, nylon floss led to the waxed variety that we see so often today.
Though dental floss has remained relatively untouched since the last Great War, there are many manufacturers that have expanded on the idea, creating new Gore-Tex and spongy varieties for individuals with more sensitive gums. Those with braces can also use a type of floss that is equipped with hardened ends that make it easier to navigate around such dental appliances.
Although people are yet to use floss as often as they should, it is widely understood by the medical community that flossing is essential in reaching the areas of your teeth where a toothbrush simply cannot in an effort to remove plaque which can eventually turn into harmful tartar.
At Genesee Dental, we encourage our patients to remain active with their flossing regimen, in addition to daily brushing and having routine appointments with their dentist for cleanings and preventative care. To schedule your next visit, call us today at 585-343-1113 or request an appointment online now.