The flossing spirit for Halloween:

Floss Graphic from the Library of Congress Building

This NFC Floss graphic uses an image found on the walls of the Library of Congress, Jefferson Building, in Washington, DC. It was found by our expert Mammalian Flossologist, Dr. Nicholle Davis.
For pilgrims who would like to visit the site, it's exact location in the Library will be released in a future post.

Flossing Day 2017 Video - 5 Things About Water Flossers

Hey, It's that special time of year again! Nov. 24, 2017, the day after Thanksgiving, will once again be celebrated as Flossing Day!
Here's a video made special for the occasion.5 Things About Water Flossers

Check out the NFC Facebook Page!

Hey,
If it looks like there aren't many new posts here, it's because the focus has become the NFC Facebook page.
Please check that site for the latest in flossing news.
Cheers,
Dr. T.

Dr T goes 3D!
In his 1st major appearance as Spokesperson for the NFC, Dr. Chip Tartaroff reviews the Flosstime Auto Floss Dispenser.

Cake Floss - NFC Editorial Comment

Thanks to Laura F in Vt for sending info about "Cake Floss."
This calls for the rare National Flossing Council Editorial Comment:
Cake Floss - No.

Did Flossing Make My Teeth Sensitive to Hot & Cold?

Dr. Chip Tartaroff got this question from Bernice, who lives in Canada:

Hi - Could you please help me? Prior to 3 months ago, I was an occasional flosser. For the last 3 months, I've been flossing every night and want to continue the habit. Eventually, it has become easier to get the floss between my teeth & gums, which I attributed to my consistent flossing, however, my teeth have become sensitive to cold & hot temperatures. I now believe that my gums have receded some, thereby exposing some of the roots, which is causing this sensitivity. My gums don't bleed, aren't sensitive or discoloured. I've been using Sensodyne for about a month now, which has reduced the sensitivity by about 50%, but it's becoming frustrating. Is it possible that I'm flossing too deep? Can you give me any helpful advice? Thank you so much for your help and consideration. I appreciate it! - Bernice.

Sharing the question with Dr. Jay W. Friedman, clinical dentist, educator, and friend of the NFC, Dr. Friedman wrote this detailed and helpful reply.

Dr. T. forwarded your query and suggested I might reply.

First, if you think your new flossing regimen has caused the sensitivity of your teeth, you should go back to your previous behavior and see if the sensitivity reduces. If so, then have the cause and the solution.

Second, it would be unusual and unlikely that flossing, unless really excessive and forceful, was the cause of the sensitivity. It might be coincidental. But if you are "sawing" rapidly and vigorously with the floss between the teeth, it could cause some sensitivity.

Third, if your gums receded due to the flossing, it would be indicative of their being swollen and inflamed, in which case they would likely have bled easily. You say they don't bleed, aren't sensitive and discolored, suggesting that they were not previously inflamed and that you have just noticed some recession that was there before but unnoticed.

Fourth, when was the last time you had a dental examination and a prophylaxis? If not within a year, you should consider it - and demonstrate your flossing technique to the dentist and/dental hygienist to see if it's excessive.

Fifth, avoid hot and cold temperatures that cause you irritation.

Sixth, moderation in all things is the 6th most sensible thing to do. I don't recall what the other five are.

Good luck and best wishes,

Jay W. Friedman, DDS, MPH

There is little that can be said to improve on Jay Friedman's reply.
We hope you find this helpful, Bernice, and please let us know how things work out for you!
Floss on!
Dr. T

New York Times Explains NFD "I Don't Care" Theme.

As a great boost to the celebration of National Flossing Day, Jamie Holmes, a New York Times reporter, posted the article below that spells out the basis for the "I Don't Care" theme for 2016.

Happy Flossing!

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/25/opinion/sunday/flossing-and-the-art-of-scientific-investigation.html

Flossing Day - Nov 25, 2016

For this year's National Flossing Day, Nov 25, 2016 (always the day after Thanksgiving), we've produced a video showing why "We Don't Care" whether there's scientific research that proves floss is a great tooth cleaning tool.

You can find out more by visiting www.flossing.org.  We'll post more here as the big day approaches.
Happy Flossing!

Removing Plaque

There's a new toothpaste, Plaque HD, that stains your plaque & makes it more likely you'll brush till it's gone.
You know what removes the plaque a brush can't reach? - Our friend, Dental Floss!

Cam Newton Flossing!

Now millions of mothers will be heard saying to their sons (and daughters), "Maybe if you flossed more, you might be the MVP!"

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000697386/article/cam-newton-busts-out-the-sideline-floss-in-opener

Lack of evidence for effectiveness is not proof of non-effectiveness...

Snopes.com commented on the flossing evidence story and here's the conclusion from the closing paragraph:

"However, the decision to drop flossing from list of federal guidelines came not because there was solid evidence that it was ineffective, but because there was a dearth of non-anecdotal evidence — due to the ethical and practical considerations inherent in conducting a broad and long-term study on the practice — that flossing effectively prevents tooth decay and gingivitis."  

http://www.snopes.com/2016/08/06/flossing-isnt-backed-by-science/

Nuf said?

Dr. T has been asked to say more, and he did - to a reporter for Dr. Bicuspid (Yes, it exists.)

Flossing, like most of the cleaning we do in life, isn't being done only because of some long range health effects.  It's done because patients and professionals can see (and often smell) that flossing is cleaning away matter that is missed by brushing.

The fact that the dental profession has often suggested that interdental cleaning with floss has health effects that aren't proven is something that should be made clear.  But clarifying the lack of data for long term health effects of flossing doesn't really undermine the usefulness of floss as a cleaning tool.

Dr. T.

 

Proof of Floss Effectiveness

A new story about "no proof that floss is effective." Collecting scientific evidence about effectiveness in a complex system like the mouth is very difficult, so we shouldn't be surprised. When you look and smell floss after using it, you'll get some clear evidence of how flossing cleans your mouth. 'Nuf said. Dr. T.

http://www.sfgate.com/news/science/article/Medical-benefits-of-dental-floss-unproven-9029154.php

A dilemma!

Dear Dr. T,

I was just going through the queries and your answers and I thought I had to ask this.

I am usually very careful about my teeth. I have got beautiful choppers and obviously I would like to have them for as long as I can.

I used to brush twice a day, scrap my tongue twice and also used a mouthwash. I have never had cavities or any tooth related problems and I am 28. 

The problem began when I started having those wisdom teeth. They don't pain much but they seem to be taking their sweet time in coming out completely. Every month or two they seemed to try to push themselves and when it happened my gums turned all sore and I would bleed while brushing. I also do oil pulling occasionally with coconut oil and few drops of clove oil. But the bleeding scared the hell out of me.

It's then that I started flossing. Even now I have not mastered the art of flossing and I find it very difficult to reach the last eight. I usually do a warm saline water mouth rinse after supper and then floss followed by brushing, tongue scrapping and Listerine. The bleeding has stopped but I am still confused with the order of my routine. 

Please suggest the best way. I really love my teeth.

Regards,
Smita




Dear Smita,

From one tooth lover to another - it was great to hear from you!

Thanks for writing and sharing what you do for your personal dental care! Unlike you, there are people who have good teeth and no cavities but wind up losing teeth to gum disease because they don't do regular dental care.

In order to speak to your question we have to agree that there will never be any one way to do things as complex as dental care, so let's focus on what's seems to be your current significant dental issue - your emerging wisdom teeth.

Since you mentioned that you're 28, the wisdom teeth are a bit late, but not something so unusual by itself. The age range for their eruption runs between 16 & 30. Some wisdom teeth never emerge.

The gum irritation or inflammation you describe is not uncommon as wisdom teeth erupt and is an important factor affecting how you should currently care for your mouth.

Wisdom teeth are not my specialty, so I shared your question with Dr Jay W. Friedman, DDS, MPH who's had a long career in clinical dentistry and written a very important article on the unnecessary removal of wisdom teeth.

                             Dr. Jay W. Friedman, DDS, MPH

In his reply, Dr. Friedman commented that if you have persistent or periodic pain around an emerging wisdom tooth, with or without bleeding, it might be justifiably removed. Of course this is something you have to discuss with your dentist who will have x-rays of the teeth to help make a decision. Dr. Friedman also noted that if the teeth can erupt or have erupted, sometimes all that is necessary is to remove the gum tissue around the tooth rather than the tooth itself (called a operculectomy). Be sure to ask your dentist about this option!

Best of luck with your “growing pains.” I'm sure you'll return to “Peace of Mouth” after a little time.

One other matter for your consideration is something Dr Friedman points out in his excellent book, Complete Guide to Dental Health, - too frequent use of Listerine or other antibiotics can upset the natural balance of organisms in the mouth. When the balance gets upset, a normal resident can bloom, causing over growths that produce mouth problems. Please keep this in mind when your possibly infected wisdom teeth aren't an issue. Dr Friedman says the warm salt water that you're already using is probably the best and cheapest mouthwash.

Let's close by saying something about floss - I'm sure you'll get good at flossing once your new teeth have settled in and given you a chance to practice!

Floss on!

Dr. T

Dr. Chip Tartaroff 1996 & 2016

Dr. T's look has changed over the years, but not his fascination with floss! 
Coming soon:  The new series, "A Minute with Dr. T," on topical flossing issues.

The NFC - Celebrating 20 Years!

In 1996, after making a few dental floss commercials with my new 8mm video camera, Don Anderson suggested starting a web site - which at the time, was a newfangled idea.  Sounded ok, though.
The theme would obviously be to popularize dental floss and flossing by using advertising techniques.
First question - what to call it?
Well, in Washington there are "Councils" for all sorts of things: there's an Arts Council, a Safety Council, a Dairy Council, and even a Cotton Council, so why not a Flossing Council?
Thus the title and the web site were born, now 20 years ago!

In that time, probably the major item that's been introduced to the public is National Flossing Day.  That began in 2000. The tragedy of September 2001 caused us to skip that year, but, since 2000, we've sponsored 15 other National Flossing Days - always the day after Thanksgiving.
Here's a toast to 20 great years for the National Flossing Council and, hopefully, 20 more, even greater years!
Floss on!

Jay Pharoah Flossing

Jay Pharoah, comedian and SNL cast member since 2010, has released a new publicity picture of him flossing.
Welcome, Jay, to the Pantheon of Famous Flossers!
It would be great to see you floss while doing your Obama impression!

Tofurky Pardoned By NFC President For National Flossing Day

NFC Newswire

Washington, DC: Nov. 26, 2015 -

In an annual tradition comparable to the presentation of deer to the Governor of VA for Thanksgiving, two native residents of Brooklyn, NY today presented the President of the National Flossing Council (NFC) with a fresh Tofurky to mark National Flossing Day.

The Brooklynites, dressed in their traditional hipster garb, recounted their hunt for the rare critter, quietly stalking it in the frozen food section of Whole Foods, until they spied their prey. After their purchase, the Tofurky was placed in a reusable bag for transport to NFC headquarters.

NFC President, Dr. Armand Lione, presented the hipsters with commemorative packets of dental floss before pardoning the Tofurky and returning it to its native habitat, a refrigerator.

To close the event, the hipsters & Dr. Lione toasted the Tofurky ceremony by sharing a 40 oz bottle of Pabst, the beer that has been specifically paired with Tofurky by Brooklyn beer artisans.

National Flossing Day Nov. 27, 2015

The Friday after Thanksgiving is the time for the annual celebration of National Flossing Day.
Here's our official video: