A new Orleans dentist, Levi Spear Parmly, is is given credit for inventing dental floss in its first form. In 1815, Dr. Parmly suggested that people should clean their teeth with SILK floss.
Dental floss was not available to the general public until 1882, when the Codman and Shurtleft company produced silk unwaxed usable silk floss. The first patent for our commonly used dental floss was given in 1898, to the well known Johnson & Johnson Corporation. Other companies producing early dental floss was Red Cross, Salter Sill Co. and Brunswick.
An early mention of the use of dental floss was seen in fictional literarure, by a character in James Joyce's famous novel Ulysses (1918-1920).
Dental floss was not available to the general public until 1882, when the Codman and Shurtleft company produced silk unwaxed usable silk floss. The first patent for our commonly used dental floss was given in 1898, to the well known Johnson & Johnson Corporation. Other companies producing early dental floss was Red Cross, Salter Sill Co. and Brunswick.
An early mention of the use of dental floss was seen in fictional literarure, by a character in James Joyce's famous novel Ulysses (1918-1920).
The early use of dental floss was not prevelant pre World War II. It was in this era that Dr. Charles C. Bass used nylon in dental floss. Due to its better abrasion resistance and greater elastic propereties, nylon floss was found to be superior. Presently, due to environmental issues, biodegradable mataerials are used to manufacture the dental floss we are familiar with today.
Jay M. Marks, DMD, and his dental hygienists urge flossing and tooth brushing as a daily oral hygiene regimen. Luckily most Americans today brush their teeth, but studiesshow that only 10% to 40% ise floss daily.
If you would like to review your oral hygiene techniques, or if you are overdue for your professional teeth cleaning, please contact us now.
Jay M. Marks, DMD, and his dental hygienists urge flossing and tooth brushing as a daily oral hygiene regimen. Luckily most Americans today brush their teeth, but studiesshow that only 10% to 40% ise floss daily.
If you would like to review your oral hygiene techniques, or if you are overdue for your professional teeth cleaning, please contact us now.