In today’s world, dental floss is considered an essential tool to prevent problems like tooth decay and gum disease. It allows you to clear bacteria, plaque buildup, and tartar from around your teeth and below your gumline. You may be surprised to learn that although humans have been aware of the benefits of cleaning between their teeth since prehistoric times, only about 12 percent of current adults in America do so daily.
Keep reading if you’re curious to know more about the history of dental floss and how it came to be a fundamental part of your at-home oral care regimen!
Primitive Picks
It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact date of the first ever dental floss, but researchers have found evidence of its archaic origins in the remains of prehistoric humans. They discovered that the mouths of ancient people contained grooves from different tools used to dislodge foreign objects. It’s believed that they used horsehair and twigs to clean their smiles.
Early Invention
The first rudimentary attempts to clean between teeth didn’t receive much of an upgrade until the 19th century. In the early 1800s, Dr. Levi Spear Parmly, an influential figure in the field of dental prevention, began encouraging patients to use waxen silk thread to remove food particles from places that toothbrushes simply couldn’t reach.
This remained the popular method until the Codman and Shurtleff Company began marketing unwaxed silk string in 1882. By 1898, Johnson & Johnson took out a patent for dental floss that was made from the same materials doctors used for silk stitches.
Upgraded Materials
Because silk thread was prone to shredding and became increasingly expensive during World War II, dentists began looking into alternate materials for dental string. In the 1940s, Dr. Charles C. Bass developed nylon floss which was affordable and accessible to more of the population. Often, it was coated with wax to be thinner and more durable for people with smaller gaps between their teeth.
Dental Floss Today
Over the decades, more dentists began to understand the value of dental floss and by the 1970s were encouraging patients to use it at least once every day. Since then, research has proven how beneficial this habit is for oral health. Studies have demonstrated that combining brushing and flossing can significantly reduce the likelihood of gum disease and tooth decay over brushing alone.
As a result, the ADA now recommends that you floss twice daily to keep your pearly whites in prime condition. Fortunately, advancements in dental technologies and materials led to a variety of options so you’re sure to find something to meet your needs, today. You can purchase spongy and soft flosses, for example, as well as picks with floss instead of using the string by itself.
Thanks to the ongoing enhancements to oral healthcare, it’s easy to find a floss that works for you in our contemporary world today!
About the Practice
At Devonshire Dental of Boston, you benefit from a team of experts who provide a full array of services under one roof to improve your smile, including gum disease therapies. They keep up to date with the latest developments in the oral healthcare field so that you’re sure to receive effective, high-quality treatments. Their dedicated staff are happy to help you set up an appointment if you’re concerned about gum disease. You’re welcome to contact the office on the website or by calling (617) 350-7474.