Dental floss is considered a primary and essential method of keeping teeth clean and free of plaque. Flossing on a daily basis will remove food particles that get stuck between the teeth, thereby reducing the bacterial growth and scraping away plaque at the same time.
Dental floss was invented by an American dentist named Levi Spear Parmly. In 1819, he wrote a book about dental care and in it described the waxed silken thread that we call dental floss. Parmly's patients soon began using thin silk thread to clean between their teeth. Parmly is considered a pioneer in dental hygiene because of his writings about tooth care.
Dental floss helps chase away some of the mthaouth bacteria that causes decay. Cleaning between the teeth with floss removes plaque and food particles that a toothbrush cannot reach. Types
The first dental floss was silk thread. To improve the product, later versions of dental floss have been made from nylon and Gore-Tex, and there are different textures such as soft floss, spongy floss, or floss with stiffened ends. Benefits
The American Dental Association recommends daily flossing as an important factor in maintaining good oral hygiene. The other recommendations are brushing teeth twice daily, eating a balanced diet, and visiting the dentist for cleaning and exams on a regular basis. Famous Ties
Dr. William Mayo from the world-famous Mayo Clinc said, "Daily plaque control can add ten years to your life." In spite of the evidence, only about 15 percent of people floss on a regular basis. Fun Fact
People buy more than three million miles of dental floss in the United States each year.
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