Where Did Flossing Come From
Dental floss was introduced in 1815 by American dentist Levi Spear Parmly using waxen silk thread, but didnt become widely used until the mid-20th century when Dr. Charles C. Bass developed more durable nylon floss during World War II.
Humans have surely been using string (among other tools) to dislodge food for as long as string has been around, but the modern idea of dental floss is only two centuries old. The first commercially available floss was made of silk, a smooth and durable material. This period also saw the development of other dental care tools, such as toothbrushes, which were now manufactured with more consistency and standardization.
How did a practice dating back to early humans become the medical mandate we know today? Explore the surprising evolution of dental flossing. The concept of flossing isnt a new idea at all and its surprising that patients dont take it more seriously. In fact, discoveries made by researchers have suggested that cleaning between the teeth was practiced as early as the Prehistoric period.
But according to most sources, credit for the invention of dental floss as we know it goes to a New Orleans dentist, who in 1815 began advising his patients to use a thin silk thread to clean between their teeth. Floss as we know it today was developed around 200 years ago. In 1815, an American dentist named Levi Spear Parmly introduced the idea of using waxen silk thread as floss.
Dental floss may seem like a modern invention, but its roots extend deep into history. Ancient civilizations, including the Egyptians and pre-Columbian populations, employed various materials to clean between their teeth. Flossing is an ingrained part of modern oral health care, but when did people first start to floss? Heres a brief look at this progression of floss from new invention to standard practice.
The widespread popularity of flossing was cemented by two significant mid-20th century developments: a material change and institutional backing. The original silk floss was prone to shredding and became increasingly expensive, particularly during World War II.
