History and Types of Dental Floss
- Dental floss was invented by Levi Spear Parmly in 1819 and became commercially available in 1882.
- Johnson & Johnson received the first patent for dental floss in 1898.
- Nylon floss was developed during World War II by Charles C. Bass.
- Floss became part of daily dental care routines in the 1970s.
- Waxed and unwaxed dental floss are commonly used.
- Dental tape is wider and flatter than conventional floss.
- The thickness of floss varies.
- Some waxed floss contains antibacterial agents and/or sodium fluoride.
- The ability to remove plaque does not significantly vary between different types of floss.
Use and Interdental Cleaning Aids
- Dental professionals recommend flossing once per day.
- Floss reaches areas that a toothbrush cannot.
- Flossing allows fluoride from toothpaste to reach between teeth.
- Floss is commonly supplied in plastic dispensers.
- Floss is guided between each pair of teeth and curved against the side of the tooth in a C shape.
- Specialized plastic wands or floss picks are used to hold floss.
- Floss holders assist in flossing when spacing or gag reflexes make it difficult.
- Molded floss holders improve positioning and moving floss in tight spaces.
- Floss threaders are used to clean between teeth, under fixed prostheses, and orthodontic appliances.
Efficacy and Exclusion from US Dietary Guidelines
- The American Dental Association states that flossing, combined with brushing, can prevent gum disease and halitosis.
- A 2008 systematic review found that flossing was not more effective than tooth brushing alone in reducing plaque or gingivitis.
- A 2011 Cochrane Database review found evidence that flossing in addition to tooth brushing reduces gingivitis compared to tooth brushing alone.
- Studies show that proper flossing can lead to a 40% reduction in the risk of tooth decay.
- The efficacy of flossing may vary based on individual preference, technique, and motivation.
- The 2015 United States Dietary Guidelines for Americans did not include a recommendation about flossing.
- The omission of flossing from the guidelines sparked controversy, but the American Dental Association clarified that it was not due to questioning the efficacy of flossing.
Floss for Orthodontic Appliances and Floss Threader
- Orthodontic appliances can harbor plaque and cause periodontal health issues.
- Fixed appliances make plaque control more challenging and restrict natural cleaning actions.
- Dental professionals recommend flossing as an important part of maintaining plaque control during orthodontic treatment.
- Clinical studies have shown that correct use of dental floss can lead to improvements in gingival health.
- A floss threader is used to thread floss into hard-to-reach sites around teeth, especially with dental braces, fix retainers, and bridges.
- Floss threaders improve handling characteristics and make flossing easier.
Historical Figures, Controversies, and Safety Concerns
- Levi Spear Parmly and Sumter Smith Arnim made significant contributions to dental hygiene.
- The medical benefits of dental floss have been questioned and remain unproven.
- Changes to the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans removed the recommendation for flossing, leading to controversy and media attention.
- The American Dental Association and the federal government still recognize the importance of flossing.
- Dental floss can help reduce interproximal caries risk and prevent periodontal diseases.
- Safety concerns include potentially harmful chemicals in certain dental floss brands, the transmission of bacteria through contaminated floss, and environmental impact.
- The American Dental Association provides information on dental floss and other interdental cleaners.
Dental floss is a cord of thin filaments used in interdental cleaning to remove food and dental plaque from between teeth or places a toothbrush has difficulty reaching or is unable to reach. Its regular use as part of oral cleaning is designed to maintain oral health.
Use of floss is recommended to prevent gingivitis and the build-up of plaque. The American Dental Association claims that up to 80% of plaque can be removed by flossing, and it may confer a particular benefit in individuals with orthodontic devices. However, empirical scientific evidence demonstrating the clinical benefit of flossing as an adjunct to routine tooth brushing alone remains limited.
A Japanese macaque and long-tailed macaques have been observed in the wild and in captivity flossing with human hair and feathers.
dental floss (usually uncountable, plural dental flosses)
