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Floss redirects here. For the computing acronym see FLOSS.

Dental floss is a bundle of thin nylon filaments or a plastic (teflon or polyethylene) ribbon used to remove food and dental plaque from teeth. The floss is inserted between the teeth and scraped along the teeth sides, especially close to the gums. Dental floss is often flavored and can be waxed or unwaxed.

History

Levi Spear Parmly, a dentist from New Orleans, is credited with inventing a legendary form of dental floss. He had been recommending that people should clean their teeth with silk floss since 1815.

Dental floss was still unavailable to the consumer until the Codman and Shurtleft company started producing human-usable unwaxed silk floss in 1882. In 1898, the Johnson & Johnson Corporation received the first patent for dental floss. Other early brands included Red Cross, Salter Sill Co. and Brunswick.

The adoption of floss was poor before World War II. It was around this time, however, that Dr. Charles C. Bass developed nylon floss. Nylon floss was found to be better than silk because of its greater abrasion resistance and elasticity.

Dentists and dental hygienists urge the daily oral hygiene regimen of toothbrushing and flossing. Nearly all Americans brush their teeth. However, the ADA indicates that only about 12 percent of Americans floss daily, 39 percent floss less than daily, and 49 percent do not floss at all.

Dental floss is commonly supplied in plastic dispensers that contain 10 to 40 meters of floss. The floss is most often held in the fingers. Some may prefer to employ a device specialized for that purpose. Also, a product that both dispenses and holds the floss is available.

Benefits

Flossing in combination with toothbrushing can prevent gum disease, halitosis, and dental caries.

Directions

The American Dental Association (ADA) advises to floss once or more per day. It should be noted that overly vigorous or incorrect flossing can result in gum tissue damage. For proper flossing, the Association advises to curve the floss against the side of the tooth in a 'C' shape, and then to wipe the tooth from under the gumline (very gently) to the tip two or three times, repeated on adjacent tooth and all other teeth too.

Branded products

• Colgate Total floss
• Crest Glide ePTFE flosses and ePTFE dental tapes
• FlossBrite Hand-held dental floss
• Johnson & Johnson flosses and dental tapes
• Oral-B flosses and dental tapes

References to dental floss in the arts and culture

Rock musician Frank Zappa contemplated growing dental floss on a ranch in his song, "Montana," on the "Over-Nite Sensation" album.

See also

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• American Dental Association

References

1. Sanoudos M, Christen AG. (1999). Levi Spear Parmly: The Apostle of Dental Hygiene. Journal of the History of Dentistry. 47(1): 3-6.

• Dental equipment