Hey Dentists!

[Dude! Sweet!]

So, I got thinking about it this morning... How did they ever figure out that flossing was beneficial to the health of your teeth (and when)?

It seems like the benfits are only realized over the long term and over the very short term, it seems like something that hurts and makes you bleed would be immediately discarded as non-beneficial (but then, I don't think like a dentist, Seymore). So how did they figure it out?

Keep in mind that I once told a hygenist who a accused me of not flossing enough that I refused to be held hostage by my teeth... :sifone:

 

[2112]

Keep in mind that I once told a hygenist who a accused me of not flossing enough that I refused to be held hostage by my teeth... :sifone:

Only floss the ones you want to keep. :sifone:

We know the plaque accumulates around all the exposed tooth structure above the point of connective tissue attachment. It is also fairly obvious that getting the surfaces that lie below the clinical height of the gum or on the surfaces that approximate one another, (between teeth) clean is difficult and cannot be adequately cleansed by brushing, rinsing or actual function.

Using floss (anything but that crap Glide) allow you access to those difficult areas, enabling you to remove the plaque accumulation (bacteria/fungus). Using an absorbent floss (rules out Glide) is like mopping up the mess on the floor.

Bleeding and painful gum tissue is the clinical sign of infection. Healthy gingiva does not bleed or hurt when flossed (unless you are cutting it with too much pressure or Glide).

Also note that the infection in your gum tissue is entering your bloodstream, coursing throughout your body looking for other opportune sites in which to infect. Prime choices are aterial walls and the valves in your heart.

Therefore, removing the crap on your teeth that brushing and rinsing/gargling will not remove, improves your entire health. That is why they say flossing adds years to your life. Remove a source of chronic infection and the corresponding inflammatory component and improve your entire health.

PS, I don't remember exactly when the modern version was invented but crude forms of floss have been used for an extremely long time.

 

[Dude! Sweet!]

Well done! Thanks.

I'm with you on only bleeding when they're not well cared for, but was thinking that the first guy they ever tried floss on must have bled like a stuck pig!

 

[2112]

was thinking that the first guy they ever tried floss on must have bled like a stuck pig!

Probably so. :sifone:

 

[Lee]

Be true to your teeth......or they will be false to you.

 

[Dude! Sweet!]

I'm sure that with the advances in dental prostetics I'd be perfectly happy with a set of dentures. Hell, I think I'm the only person in my circle of friends who has all my teeth. And oddly enough, all my fingers...

 

[99fever27]

Im going for implants later next week... Im 34:ack2:

 

[drpete3]

Im going for implants later next week... Im 34:ack2:

Dont let them talk you out of the D cups:sifone:

 

[2112]

Im going for implants later next week... Im 34:ack2:

Lots of things can happen by 34. By placing the fixtures now, you will be preserving the bone for the remainder of your life. Good investment.

 

[Bobcat]

Be true to your teeth......or they will be false to you.

man who go to bed with itchy butthole wake up with stinky finger:biggrinjester:

 

[Dude! Sweet!]

Dont let them talk you out of the D cups:sifone:

Amen brother!

 

[HiPerf2000]

i have a 2 yr old daughter and when i took her to the dentist last week for a chipped tooth, they were telling me about a new 'coating' that i can opt to pay for when her permanent teeth come in. supposed to be some sort of hardened permanenent 'clearcoat' that will never let a tooth decay. no more cavities. now thats technology!.....but how do they protect inbetween in the flossing areas??? hmmmm??

 

[2112]

I would be Leary of any claims of "no more...ever" but, having said that. Fluoridation by itself changed the rate of decay astronomically. the coating you mention is most likely the combination of specific proteins, found in milk, added to fluoride that make the efficacy of fluoride even that much better. Coatings applied to teeth are usually composite resin in origin an are subject to age and wear and tear.

Children who receive low dose systemic (by oral) fluoride, develop the strongest most decay resistant permanent teeth. This was discovered by accident in the Southeast Colorado area about 100 years ago. Too much fluoride can be toxic. 1-2 ppm is the ideal quantity. Even between 1-2ppm and toxic levels you can get too much making for ugly brown but decay resistant teeth.

Have your child's Physician Rx fluoride drops as early as possible. First visit to DDS is now recommended at age 1. Continue systemic fluoride until age 11-12.

The Protein/fluoride combo is available in special toothpastes available by Rx or your DDS's office. These are good for adults too. They can remineralize lesser grade decay.
.

 

[Dude! Sweet!]

i have a 2 yr old daughter and when i took her to the dentist last week for a chipped tooth, they were telling me about a new 'coating' that i can opt to pay for when her permanent teeth come in. supposed to be some sort of hardened permanenent 'clearcoat' that will never let a tooth decay. no more cavities. now thats technology!.....but how do they protect inbetween in the flossing areas??? hmmmm??

It's a laquer clear coat...

 

[Perlmudder]

man who go to bed with itchy butthole wake up with stinky finger:biggrinjester:

hahaha:sifone: