Everybody knows that floss is an essential part of proper oral hygiene and should be used daily, not just on days you are scheduled to visit the dentist! Floss helps to remove plaque from between teeth and helps to knock loose food that a toothbrush is unable to reach. You may assume floss is a relatively modern invention, but did you know it has a long history?
Neanderthals in 63,400 BC
Cavemen get a bad rap, but despite their primitive resources, they cared about dental health. Archaeologists have studied the teeth of Neanderthal skeletons that date back more than 65,000 years. They found evidence of grooves in the teeth that suggest Neanderthals used small wood sticks to jar food particles free.
Ancient Civilizations and Toothpicks
Archaeologists around the globe have studied fossils from many different civilizations and discovered that toothpicks were in common use by Homo Sapiens in Europe and Asia and used by Native Americans too. One anthropologist even concluded that the longest-enduring human habit is attempting to maintain oral hygiene. Our ancient ancestors may not have had access to a dentist, but they still cared about oral health.
Silk Floss
We take a big-time jump until 1815 when Levi Spear Parmly promoted the use of silk floss to help clean teeth. Parmly, a dentist from Vermont, is widely considered the "apostle of dental hygiene" and believed that regular use of floss could help prevent dental diseases. Natural silk floss is still in use today.
Nylon Floss
In the 1940s, Dr. Charles C. Bass sought to improve on Parmly's recommendations by promoting the use of nylon floss, which has greater elasticity and abrasion resistance. Use of nylon floss spread during World War II. Along with plastic floss, nylon floss is the most widespread variety in use today and is recommended by dentists.
Water Flossers
Rather than sticking a physical piece of floss between teeth to dislodge food and plaque, some people prefer to use modern water flossers. As the name suggests, a water flosser uses the power of water to clean teeth and help prevent gingivitis and gum disease.
Flavours and Wax
Over the years, small changes were made to make floss more appealing to consumers. Floss was enhanced with flavours like mint to add a fresh feel to the mouth, and strawberry or bubblegum, to make children more willing to use it. Floss is sold in waxed and unwaxed varieties, but there is no practical difference, and it simply comes down to the user's preference.
Now that you know a little bit about the history of floss, here are some other fun facts that you may not know:
Brushing Only Cleans About 70% of Your Teeth
Even using the latest, advanced toothbrushes won't get your mouth and gums completely clean. If you skip the flossing part of your oral hygiene routine, you're letting approximately 30% of your mouth go uncleaned. This means food particles and plaque will build up, leading to cavities and other potential problems.
More is Better
When it comes to flossing, more is better. You need a good grip when rolling it around your fingers. Aim to use about 20 inches so you can have enough floss to thoroughly wrap and pull between the teeth and gum line.
Don't Be Surprised If Your Gums Bleed
If your gums tend to bleed when you floss, don't panic. This is quite normal, especially for beginners. As you start to floss every day, your gums will get stronger and become less tender to the flossing motion. This will stop your gum from bleeding over time.
There are Two Main Type of Floss
You can choose from monofilament floss, which is comprised of rubber and plastic or multifilament floss, which is made with silk and nylon. We recommend multifilament since it does a great job cleaning out the debris while also offering a better material for you and the environment.
Choosing Between Waxed or Unwaxed Floss
You can also find floss that has a waxed coating and others that don't. If you're unsure which is best, it depends on your teeth. If your teeth are close together with very tight spaces in between, waxed floss is best since it will be easier to use. If you don't have teeth that are tightly nudged together, unwaxed is better. The unwaxed surface will help to grab hold of more food particles, making it easier to clean.
There are More Flavours Than Just Mint
Back in the day, mint flavoured floss was the only option that existed. But today, you can find so many unique flavours, including bacon, bubblegum, cinnamon and even wasabi floss. So if you ever want to spice up your flossing game, try a new flavour!
While we have moved well past using sticks to clean in between teeth, it is clear that flossing has a long history. Keep your teeth clean and gums healthy by including flossing in your daily oral hygiene routine. For more information, contact us at Carlingwood Dental.
