Did you know?
A dentist from New Orleans named Levi Spear Parmly invented modern dental floss in 1815.
Top 10 Excuses for Not Flossing
(From the American Academy of Periodontology):
- My hands are too big and I have no dexterity.
- The floss pushes the food down further into the pocket.
- My gums bleed.
- I get my teeth professionally cleaned twice a year, so I don't have to brush and floss.
- It takes too long.
- It gets in the way of my sex life.
- Losing teeth is part of aging.
- My teeth are too tight for the floss to get through.
- I'm afraid of damaging my gums when I floss.
- I went hiking and forgot to bring dental floss.
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How to Floss
For proper flossing, the ADA advises the following:
- Curve the floss against the side of the tooth in a 'C' shape
- Wipe the tooth from under the gumline (very gently) to the tip two or three times
- Repeat on adjacent and subsequent teeth
Most Americans Don’t Floss
Despite being told by dental professionals that flossing is absolutely imperative, most people do not floss. The ADA reports that only one-third of Americans floss regularly and only one-fifth do so correctly. The result is most Americans have some degree of gum disease that can result in bad breath, and eventually tooth loss.
Don’t Like to Floss?
Try a Waterpik® Dental Water Jet
If you don’t like to floss, Water Pik, Inc. has a solution. Floss with water instead of string! Using a Waterpik dental water jet oral irrigator is:
Easier to Use
Use it only once per day for about 1 minute. It’s a pleasant experience, giving you the cleanest, freshest sensation possible.
More effective
Independent clinical research studies demonstrate that the Waterpik dental water jet oral irrigator is up to 93% more effective than dental floss for improving gum health. It removes stubborn plaque and debris from deep between teeth and below the gumline. It also massages and stimulates the gums for better circulation.
