Tag: tooth flossing

A (Very) Brief History of Floss

Posted on by MillenSmiles_aDmEEN

Dental floss is a critical tool in caring for your teeth properly. Yes, we really do mean it. Why? Well, floss does 40 percent of the work of your toothbrush (think about it – floss reaches the two sides of your teeth your toothbrush cannot). Flossing is necessary not only to remove the annoying bits of food that get stuck between your teeth but flossing also helps to break up sticky plaque that forms in these areas, too.

Although flossing is critical for good oral health, according to the American Dental Association, only about 12 percent of Americans floss each day. The ADA recommends that adults floss at least once per day to keep their teeth healthy.

But, flossing is not a new concept. There have been some discoveries that suggest that flossing has roots that date as far back as the Prehistoric period. While the earliest versions of floss look a lot different than what we use today, the goal was the same; to get the bits of food from between the teeth. Here is a fun look at this history of floss:

Prehistory: Researchers are not exactly sure what the exact date prehistoric people’s began to use floss was, but some evidence suggests that more than 6,000 years ago, ancient humans were using horse hair and toothpicks to remove food from their teeth.

1815: Dr. Levi Spear Parmly, an American dentist, introduces waxed silken thread as floss. He also wrote about the importance of brushing and flossing daily in his book, the Practical Guide to the Management of Teeth.

1882: Flossing begins to catch on, and the Codman and Shurleft Company mass-produces unwaxed silk floss.

1898: Johnson & Johnson receives the first patent for dental floss.

1940s: Nylon becomes the popular choice over silk thread. Why? It cost less than silk and was much more durable.

1980s: The first interdental brush is invented to offer an alternative to flossing.

Today: There are many options for floss currently available: regular, mint, waxed or unwaxed, Gore-Tex, and even soft or spongy floss for sensitive gums. There are also floss picks available to help make flossing the back teeth and around orthodontic appliances easier and more comfortable.

So, there are some fun facts about floss that you didn’t know you ever needed. Another fun fact is that flossing is essential to having a healthy mouth and dentist near you can tell when you aren’t doing it.

Find out if you’re flossing properly; call us today at 972-468-8771 to schedule your checkup.

Brushing Correctly? Make Sure With These Tips From Dr. Korous!

Posted on by MillenSmiles_aDmEEN

Do you think you’re a pro at brushing your teeth? You probably have been doing it many years now, and really, is there a wrong way to do it? It turns out, there actually is. Improper brushing can lead to cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease. Find out how to make sure you take care of your teeth the right way with these teeth brushing tips from Millennium Smiles

1. Check Your Form. Are you holding your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle when you brush? This is the angle recommended by the American Dental Association to clean your teeth effectively. Why? Because brushing your teeth at a 45-degree angle allows the bristles of your toothbrush to reach all surfaces of your teeth. Brushing with your toothbrush at this angle is especially important when brushing your molars because the curves of these teeth make cleaning them properly critical. While we are talking about brushing, be sure not to put too much force on your teeth because you could wear away enamel. 

2. Check Your Brush. While a manual toothbrush can get your teeth clean, its cleaning capabilities are nothing compared to those of a soft-bristled electric toothbrush. Using an electric toothbrush means a more efficient and thorough cleaning. Dr. Korous offers patients several different electric toothbrush options. Ask her what toothbrush she recommends for you when you are in for your next appointment.

3. Check Your Time. Did you know that it takes two full minutes of brushing to make sure all the surfaces of your teeth are clean? The ADA and Dr. Korous recommend that you brush two full minutes every time you brush to ensure you removing sticky dental plaque. Time yourself next time you brush to see if you’re brushing for a full two minutes.

4. Check Your Tongue. One of the most common mistakes people make when brushing their teeth is that they forget to brush their tongue. The tongue collects the same bacteria as the teeth and gums, so brushing is key to keeping your mouth healthy. It also keeps your breath fresh, too!

5. Take Time to Floss. Did you know that flossing does 40 percent of the work of your toothbrush? Flossing helps to remove food particles that get stuck between your teeth and can’t be removed by your brush. Getting these particles out of your teeth takes the food source away from the bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease.

Now that you know how if you’re brushing correctly, it’s time to schedule a cleaning with us! Call Millennium Smiles, your Frisco dental experts, today at 972-987-4899.

Chew Gum To Save Your Teeth!

Posted on by MillenSmiles_aDmEEN

It’s true! Chewing gum- the right kind of gum- can actually help to prevent tooth decay! Contrary to popular belief chewing gum has been approved by the ADA can be beneficial in the fight against cavities. Talk to Dr. Kourous at your next visit to our Little Elm dental office to find out which sugar-free gum is recommended for helping to keep your teeth clean! Forget what mom always told you, go ahead and chew that gum!

Why?

Chewing gum after eating helps increase the flow of saliva which washes away cavity creating particles and bacteria that could buildup on and between your teeth. Increased saliva flow also carries calcium and phosphate that help strengthen tooth enamel. Stronger tooth enamel and less build up mean fewer cavities and healthier teeth!

What?

Make sure that the gum is sugar-free! Sugared gums increase saliva flow, but the excess amounts of sugar are still detrimental to your oral health. Sugar actually promotes plaque bacteria build up. Oral bacteria feed on the sugar, helping it multiply faster. Check gum packages for the ADA seal, then you’ll know you are chewing the best gum for your dental hygiene. All gums with the ADA seal contain artificial sweeteners that do not promote cavity causing agents. The ADA seal is the only way you can be assured the gum is sugar-free and will help, not hurt your healthy smile.

When?

Chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after eating has been clinically tested and proven to help prevent tooth decay. However, never let chewing gum replace your regular oral hygiene routine. Chewing sugarless gum should be used intermittently in your dental health regimen as an additional way to help maintain oral hygiene. Chewing gum cannot replace brushing, flossing, or your regular visits to the dentist.

So treat your “sweet tooth” to some ADA certified sugar free gum! If you have any questions about the benefits of gum, schedule an appointment with your Millennium Smiles dentist. It is always recommended to consult with your Millennium Smiles dentist before starting any new dental care regimen.

Schedule a Visit to Millennium Smiles Dentist

Regular visits with your Millennium Smiles family dentist are the best way to maintain your oral health and catch serious oral health concerns early to avoid complex procedures. For routine dental care, schedule an appointment with Millennium Smiles in Frisco, TX. We serve Frisco, Little Elm, and many local communities with comprehensive family and cosmetic dental care.

Is Flossing Still Important?

Posted on by MillenSmiles_aDmEEN

Recent news on oral hygiene practices questioned the overall oral health benefits of daily flossing, making people wonder if they should continue this often inconvenient part of their routine. Your Frisco family dentists at Millennium Smiles stands behind the American Dental Association (ADA) position that flossing between the teeth once a day is indeed an important part of good oral hygiene and the best way to remove food and bacteria from ALL surfaces of the teeth to avoid decay.

Flossing should begin as soon as possible with young children, ideally when they are babies and only have a couple of teeth that touch each other. Early preventive care habits make them seem like a routine part of daily life that is more likely to be carried out for the long term. When you visit our Frisco family dentist office your hygienist and dentist will work with you to demonstrate effective tooth flossing and can make recommendations on the most appropriate type of floss for your needs.

How To Floss Correctly

Flossing should not be painful- if it is or if flossing causes the gums to bleed, schedule a visit where we can look for the presence of gum disease. The dental floss should be gently positioned between the teeth by sliding it back and forth with minimal force until it makes its way down to the gum line. The back and forth motion will dislodge most food particles and loosen any bacteria between the teeth. Rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash after flossing is a great way to flush out remaining debris and leave the teeth and gums feeling clean and fresh. Here is a quick ADA video on tooth flossing:

For most people, once the habit is established they find their mouth does not feel completely clean until they have flossed after brushing. Healthy daily oral hygiene that includes tooth brushing AND flossing is the foundation of a lifelong smile. For routine dental care, visit Millennium Smiles in Frisco, TX. We serve Frisco, Little Elm, and many local communities with comprehensive family and cosmetic dental care.

Call us at 972-987-4899 to schedule an appointment.

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