Dental Floss Helps Protect Your Health
Also Try Dental Tape and Floss Picks Easier to Use!
Dental floss is usually made of nylon filaments. The filaments may be waxed to help hold them together or they may be un-waxed, because some people prefer that type.
A dentist from New Orleans names Levi Spear Parmly is credited as the inventor of the very first form in 1815, which was made of silk. Nylon began to replace the silk strings after World War II. Not only was nylon less expensive, it was also show to be more resistant to abrasion or less likely to fray and to have more elasticity
Flossing is a part of oral hygiene recommended by all dentists and the American Dental Association. But surveys suggest that less than 40% of all Americans are flossing on a daily basis, even though they brush their teeth several times per day.
The dispensers available may contain as much as 50 meters of the nylon filaments. Some of the less expensive dispensers may contain only 10 meters. You might spend more on a 50-meter dispenser, but it is usually more cost effective to buy the larger quantity in the long run.
Using dental floss can be difficult. Many people have complained of difficulty getting between teeth or in reaching molars in the back of the mouth. Floss picks are a good alternative if you have trouble with flossing.
The picks are composed of flexible plastic. The opposite end is pointed but not too sharp. It can be used to dislodge food particles from between or on top of the teeth. Some people like to scrub their teeth with a pick when they cannot brush immediately after eating.
As long as the material is flexible, this practice does not cause damage. More abrasive and sharper items like a toothpick can cause damage to the dentin, leading to chips or sensitive teeth.
In terms of the amount of nylon included, floss picks are more expensive than a roll in a dispenser. The cost is worth it for many people. Anything that gets you flossing more often is worth the cost.
Dental Floss Products
When used in combination with regular brushing, flossing can prevent gum disease and cavities by reducing plaque buildup, especially between the teeth. Flossing can also help with halitosis (bad breath) by removing some of the bacteria that cause the problem.
When compared to treatments for cavities or gingivitis, dental floss is cheap and far less painful. Be sure you are flossing every day.