|
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. The American Dental Association recommends flossing at least once per day.
However, despite our modern understanding of the use of dental floss, this concept has been alive for generations. According to About.com, the grooves created by floss have been found in prehistoric human beings, leading historians to believe that people have been flossing for much longer than we may have thought.
Of course the dental floss of old was far more crude than what you find packaged in the store today. Various materials have been used for flossing throughout history, including the hairs of animals, which might not seem very hygienic. In old western movies, you'll often see cowboys plucking the manes or tails of their horses and using that hair to dig between their teeth.
A New Orleans dentist by the name of Levi Spear Parmly is officially credited with the "inventin" of dental floss, according to ToothbrushExpress.com. Back in 1815 Levi began telling his patients to floss between their teeth with silk thread, and he is often credited with much of the dental hygiene we currently use today.
These days, flossing is far more common and there are numerous products on the market. Over the years, dental care companies have produced revolutionary forms of floss that make it not only easier for customers, but also more enjoyable.
While we have come a long way from using silk thread and horse hair to clean between our teeth, the function and method of dental floss has not changed all that much.
Looking for an excellent cosmetic and general dentist in Covington, KY or the greater Cincinnati area? Call us now! 859-291-8600
|
Latest News 
