dental floss
| Dictionary: dental floss |
n.
A waxed or unwaxed thread used to remove food particles and plaque from between the teeth and under the gums.
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Background
Dental floss is a thin filament used to remove debris caught between teeth and between teeth and gums. In 1994, Americans used more than 2.5 million miles of dental floss, the equivalent of circling the earth more than 100 times.
The use of dental floss helps to remove plaque, a sticky, gel-like substance made of bacteria that forms on teeth and between teeth, as well as on the tooth surface below the gum line. If the plaque is not removed, it hardens and is then called tartar. If tartar is allowed to accumulate, gingivitis, or an inflammation of the gums, usually accompanied by redness, swelling, and bleeding, can result. Eventually, gums begin to separate from the teeth, forming "pockets" that frequently become infected. If this goes unchecked, the bone that supports the teeth is destroyed, resulting in tooth loss. To avoid this, adults and children over age 10 are advised to floss at least once a day. Flossing disturbs bacteria, stopping it before it can create plaque and ultimately cause gum and bone disease.
Floss is available in string or ribbon form, and can be lightly waxed, waxed, or un-waxed. It is also available in several flavors such as cinnamon, mint, bubble-gum, and plain. Ribbon floss is the most effective choice when there are ample spaces between the teeth; since baby and children's teeth are widely-spaced, ribbon floss is the most common selection for children. On the other hand, when teeth have contact points, that is, when they come in contact with one another, the preferred choice is the narrower or string floss. Waxed or lightly waxed is recommended for use between crowded or crooked teeth.
Raw Materials
Dental floss is commonly made out of one of two polymers (synthetic compounds), either nylon or Teflon. Nylon is defined as a fiber-forming substance of a long-chain synthetic polyamide. A polyamide is a compound characterized by more than one amide group; an amide is a chemical related to ammonia. Teflon is the trade name of the polymer polytetrafluoroethylene, or PTFE. Other raw materials are the coatings, which may be wax, flavors, and various proprietary ingredients which vary with the manufacturer.
The Manufacturing
Process
Filament extrusion and twisting (for nylon)
- To make floss from nylon, nylon salt is polymerized and the resulting polymer is poured out as a ribbon. Next, it is cut into small chips, flakes, or pellets. These are blended, remelted, and pumped through spinnerets to form filaments. When the nylon cools, the filaments solidify and regather to form a yarn. The ends of the filaments are combined to create one strand of floss. Correctly twisting the nylon is a vital part of this process; the turns average between 2.5 and 3.5 per inch. Twisting adds strength to the floss as well as greatly reducing fraying or breaking.
Since floss consists of many filaments, it can be produced in different "decitexes." Decitex is defined as the weight of 10,000 meters of unwaxed nylon in grams. Floss is also measured by "Denier." Denier is defined as the weight of 9,000 meters of uncoated floss in grams. There is a direct correlation between the numerical value of the decitex or denier and the thickness of the strand of floss: if this value increases, the thickness of the strand also increases.
Making floss with Teflon
- To produce a Teflon dental floss, a polymer of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is formulated. Next, the polymer is melted into a paste and stretched into a long, thin strand. The polymer is then expanded into one or more directions. The PTFE is cut, forming different deniers. After the PTFE is processed, its tensile strength is substantial. Unlike multi-filament nylon flosses, PTFE is a monofilament, which does not shred or break easily. Therefore, twisting is not required for this process. The rates of stretching during the manufacturing process give this floss its added strength.
Filament coating
- This process allows manufacturers to differentiate their products by permeating the floss with distinctive and proprietary coatings. The coating takes place in emulsion baths, where the floss is pulled through waxes, flavors, and other desired coatings at a consistent velocity.
Bobbin winding
- Floss bobbins are next wound in one of two shapes: cylindrical or roll type. Winding the floss bobbins requires the use of equipment that transfers the yarn from one type of spool to another type. A cylindrical bobbin is dispensed through a tube or rectangular-shaped package. It can be wound where the floss is pulled through the center or pulled from the outer layer first. The advantage to this type of bobbin is that it can accommodate more yardage. The roll bobbin is the more conventional type of floss bobbin. It is dispensed through flat containers by pulling from the outer layer only.
Case molding
- The standard case for nylon flosses is an angled, two-piece construction, usually polypropylene, with an insert that holds the floss spool. Recently, many manufacturers have opted to upgrade their floss dispensers by using a one-piece "clam shell" construction that incorporates a window to gauge product use as well as grooves to facilitate gripping.
Assembly
- Floss bobbins are usually assembled manually into the floss container. The bobbin cores are cut to separate them. Next, they are placed into the container, the floss is threaded around a metal cutting clip, and the cover is closed. The package is now ready for labeling, or if the container is pre-decorated, it is ready for packing and shipping.
Decoration
- There are three basic methods of decoration: pad printing, labeling, and thermal transfer. Pad printing is the most prevalent form of decorating used in the U.S. Labeling is the preferred choice for most product exported to Europe. Thermal transfer generates an image quality equal to or better than the pad printing image with the advantage that it allows for a greater range of colors and designs.
Packaging
- Marketers prefer blister packaging (a plastic mold affixed to a cardboard backing, which can hang on a display peg) because it prominently displays the package and eliminates the need for paper packaging, which is deemed better for the environment. Another packaging trend is to co-pack floss along with a toothbrush, toothpaste, or mouthwash.
The Future
Two leading manufacturers have recently developed dental flosses with new types of filament. Oral-B Laboratories introduced Oral-B ULTRA FLOSS. Unlike conventional or ordinary dental floss, which has a series of straight nylon strands, ULTRA FLOSS features an ultra strong filament, containing a patented network of interlocking fibers that resists shredding and fraying. ULTRA FLOSS' woven, spongy texture also works differently than conventional floss; it stretches thin to fit easily between tight teeth spaces, then springs back to its original thickness to trap plaque in its filament. ULTRA FLOSS is soft for sensitive gums, gentler on the fingers, and pre-measured into 18-inch (46 cm) segments, the length recommended by the American Dental Association.
John O. Butler Company introduced Butler-Weave, a dental floss that acts like dental tape. This smooth, shred-resistant floss spreads out when pulled between teeth, providing more surface contact with the tooth for effective plaque removal. In addition, its thin, flat profile glides easily between tight contacts.
Where To Learn More
Books
Foster, Malcolm S.Protecting Our Children's Teeth: A Guide to Quality Dental Care from Infancy through Age Twelve.Insight Books (a division of Plenum Publishing Corporation), 1992, pp. 186-90.
Holt, Robert Lawrence. Straight Teeth: Everything You Need to Know About Orthodontics, Including How to Avoid Costly Treatment for You and Your Children Through Preventive Care.William Morrow and Company, 1980, pp. 44, 121-35.
Siegel, Dorothy.The Encyclopedia of Health: Dental Health.Chelsea House Publishers, 1994, pp. 70, 75, 105-106.
Periodicals
Bedell, Thomas. "Looks: Floss, Anyone?"Men's Health, December 1991, pp. 20-21.
Sangiorgio, Maureen P. "Flossing Right: The Real Truth about the Most Underrated Tooth Saver." Prevention, June 1992, pp. 108, 135-36.
[Article by: Susan Bard Hall]
| Dental Dictionary: dental floss |
n
Waxed or plain thread of nylon or silk used to clean the interdental areas; an aid in oral physiotherapy.
| Wikipedia: Dental floss |
 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (May 2008) |
Dental floss is either a bundle of thin nylon filaments or a plastic (teflon or polyethylene) ribbon used to remove food and dental plaque from teeth. The floss is gently inserted between the teeth and scraped along the teeth sides, especially close to the gums. Dental floss may be flavored or unflavored, and waxed or unwaxed.
Contents |
History
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Levi Spear Parmly, a dentist from New Orleans, is credited with inventing the first form of dental floss. He recommended that people should clean their teeth with silk floss in 1815.[1]
Dental floss was still unavailable to the consumer until the Codman and Shurtleft company started producing human-usable unwaxed silk floss in 1882. In 1898, the Johnson & Johnson Corporation received the first patent for dental floss. Other early brands included Red Cross, Salter Sill Co. and Brunswick.
A character is depicted using dental floss in James Joyce's famous novel Ulysses (serialised 1918-1920) - an early mention of the practice in literary fiction.
The adoption of floss was poor before World War II. It was around this time, however, that Dr. Charles C. Bass developed nylon floss. Nylon floss was found to be better than silk because of its greater abrasion resistance and elasticity. In response to environmental concerns, dental floss made from biodegradable materials is now available.
Dentists and dental hygienists urge the daily oral hygiene regimen of toothbrushing and flossing. Nearly all Americans brush their teeth. However, the ADA indicates that only about 12 percent of Americans floss daily, 39 percent floss less than daily, and 49 percent do not floss at all.[citation needed]
Use
Dental floss is commonly supplied in plastic dispensers that contain 10 to 50 meters of floss. After pulling out the desired amount, the floss is pulled against a small protected blade in the dispenser to sever it.
Dental floss is held between the fingers. The floss is guided between each tooth and under the gumline to remove particles of food stuck between teeth and dento-bacterial plaque and adhered to such dental surfaces. Ideally using a C-shape, the floss is curved around a tooth and placed under the gumline, and then moved away from the gumline, the floss scrapes the side of each tooth, and can also clean the front or back of the tooth. Gently moving the floss from below the gumline to away from the gumline removes dento-bacterial plaque attached to teeth surfaces above and below the gumline. A clean section of floss can be used to clean each tooth to avoid transmitting plaque bacteria from one tooth to another.
There are many different kinds of dental floss commonly available. The most important variable is thickness. If the floss is too thick for the space between a pair of teeth then it will be difficult or impossible to get the floss down between the teeth. On the other hand, if the floss is too thin, it may be too weak and break. Different floss will suit different mouths, and even different parts of one mouth. This is because some teeth have a smaller gap between them than others. It's possible that thicker floss does a better job of scraping bacterial plaque off teeth, given that there is space enough between the teeth to use it. When a piece of hard food is tightly wedged between the teeth, one may need to switch to thinner floss, because thick floss cannot get past the food. It is possible to split some kinds of dental floss lengthwise generating a pair of thinner pieces that are much weaker but sometimes useable. This is possible because some kinds of dental floss are made of many very thin strands that are not woven together but rather run more or less in parallel. This can also be useful if the dental floss you have is too thick for you, for any other reason, and you do not have access to any other, for example when travelling in a foreign country.
Specialized plastic wands, or floss picks, have been produced to hold the floss. These may be attached to or separate from a floss dispenser. While not pinching the finger, using a wand may be awkward and also make it difficult to floss at all the angles possible with a finger. At the same time, the enhanced reach can make flossing the back teeth easier. These types of flossers may be missing the area under the gum line that needs to be flossed.
Ergonomic flossers with improved handle for better grip and swiveling floss heads allow easy access to any pair of teeth in the mouth, to the front teeth as well as to the rear teeth. Also their floss heads feature a lateral flexibility that enables improved control for the dental floss to hug the sides of the teeth and clean under the gum line without the danger of hurting the gums.
Occasional flossing and/or improper flossing can typically lead to bleeding gums. The main cause of the bleeding is inflammation of the gingival tissue due to gingivitis.
Directions
The American Dental Association advises to floss once or more per day before brushing your teeth; flossing prior to brushing allows for toothpaste to reach between the teeth. [2] It should be noted that overly vigorous or incorrect flossing can result in gum tissue damage. For proper flossing, the Association advises to curve the floss against the side of the tooth in a 'C' shape, and then to wipe the tooth from under the gumline (very gently) to the tip two or three times, repeated on adjacent and subsequent teeth.
Vibration
Some power flossers utilize vibration which transfers through the floss, originating from the ends. This is likely inspired by the similar use of vibration of the bristles in modern electric toothbrushes. As the vibration causes subtle movement, the floss will find the path of least resistance when pressed down. The movement would also help in temporarily separating tooth and gum for floss to get through.
This allows easier penetration under the gumline, with less force applied to push into the gap between teeth. With less force applied, more control of flossing is possible. In normal flossing, pressure may be applied until the floss 'pops' through the teeth, and the momentum can carry on and painfully impact the gum tissue. With more control, this can be reduced or avoided totally.
Many consider vibrations to be soothing; it is a common technique in massage and orthopedic devices. Much like electric toothbrushes are soothing to the teeth and gums, vibrating floss can soothe and massage the gumline.
Cuts become less likely as the floss will not press against as isolated an area, and less pressure is applied. Any abrasions to the gum would be more evenly distributed, leading to more equal adaptation of the tissue.[citation needed]
Benefits
Flossing in combination with toothbrushing can prevent gum disease, halitosis, and dental caries.[3] Flossing is also linked to reduced incidence of heart disease.[4]
See also
References
- ^ Sanoudos M, Christen AG. (1999). Levi Spear Parmly: The Apostle of Dental Hygiene. Journal of the History of Dentistry. 47(1): 3-6.
- ^ http://www.ada.org/ada/seal/floss.asp ADA.org: Floss and Other Interdental Cleaners
- ^ Cleaning your teeth and gums
- ^ "Dental floss may lower heart disease risk". December 17, 2009. http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2008/12/17/Dental-floss-may-lower-heart-disease-risk/UPI-81571229574870/. Retrieved October 18, 2009.
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