At James River Family Dentistry, our dentists routinely recommend flossing as a valuable part of oral health care. When performed properly, using dental floss to remove debris between teeth and at the gum line is safe and beneficial. A daily regime of flossing helps prevent tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath. 

FlossingHere are some interesting facts about dental floss you might not know:

  • There is evidence that our forefathers used materials such as horsehair as a precursor to floss to remove food from between their teeth.
  • Dental floss was first developed in 1815 in Louisiana by American dentist Levi Spear Parmly who designed the product from a silken thread.
  • Nylon replaced silk as the most common floss material following the increased price of silk during the second World War.
  • Many believe flossing BEFORE brushing allows fluoride to penetrate the mouth better and is more helpful in fighting tooth decay.
  • Despite its simple design, sometimes people injure their gums when flossing due to too much pressure, and some are guilty of transferring food and bacteria from tooth to tooth by neglecting to make sure they floss each tooth with a new segment of the strand.
  • Proper and regular flossing can help prevent many conditions, including deadly heart disease.
  • In a few cases, prisoners have been known to use dental floss to “saw” their way through bars and even collect copious amounts of it to convert into “rope” to use to scale prison walls.
  • Aside from the popular flavors of mint and bubblegum, there is also bacon-flavored floss!

Though many regard flossing as secondary to brushing, flossing is an essential part of a good oral healthcare routine. Remember, flossing gets to the places your toothbrush can’t!

If you are looking for a family dentist and would like to set up an appointment, please call or text James River Family Dentistry at 804-323-4200 or schedule an appointment online. We look forward to partnering with you to keep your oral health the best it can be — for a lifetime of clean, healthy, happy teeth and gums.