National Flossing Day Video Entries!

Have you checked out the entries for the Flossies Bergere Video Challenge?

"Feats of Flossing" by Libby & Scott & Cross Fit Davis

Flossies Bergere! Celebrate NationalFlossing Day! by Shelli

"Flossing This Way" by Pretty Eyes Moo

The winner of the video contest Grand Prize will be announced on Monday, Nov. 14!

The Hunting Trophy!

Dr. Chip Tartaroff is not only an expert commentator on all things involving dental floss, he is also an intrepid hunter!

Deep in the forests of Sarawak, Dr. T stumbled on the legendary, Lost Water Closet of the Dinosaurs!

Creeping up on this giant Tyrannosaurus Rex, who was distracted while trying to floss with his little hands, Dr. T raised his trusty M-16 and brought the creature down with a single shot.

With the help of his native guide, Tamrat, Dr. T was able to bring back this magnificent trophy of the event.

It is now mounted for display at the headquarters of the National Flossing Council in Washington, DC.

Flossing & Fertility

As reported by BBC News, experts at a fertility meeting in Sweden heard how women with gum disease took over seven months to conceive, compared to the usual five months. 
They believe the causative factor is the inflammation of gums.
Coming soon, this blog will have more information on the available studies that have looked at the role flossing can play in the reduction of gum disease.
Floss on!

Music to Floss By

You can download a free copy of the song, "Flossophy" by the Van Oodles by going to this link!
Is this the greatest flossing song of the 21st Century? (So far)

Flossing music for the 21st Century!

20th Century flossing music was Frank Zappa - "Montana."

So far, for the 21st Century, it's the Van Oodles.
On May 7 the Van Oodles, a Portland based group, released flossophy-101.
The link will let you hear the title cut.
For some listeners this song may get too close to the nitty-gritty of flossing.
The mature flosser (and many children) are likely to appreciate it.
Floss on, Van Oodles!

Even Apes Understand Flossing! - Buy one, Spread the Word.

I don't usually "plug" commercial products - not that there's anything wrong with that, if done upfront - but, anyway, Here's where you can buy postcards or framed prints of this picture; this is Art!

Rather than copy the picture and post it here, I suggest clicking the link.  No charge for that. 
I'm buying one sometime soon.

Flossing Your Roots?

Dr. Chip Tartaroff, our answerman for all your flossing questions, asked to have this posted on the blog:

Dr. T,

 

I am 45 and recently started daily flossing.  When i floss my front lower teath, I can feel an edge, and assume and I am coming to the end of my enamal , and hitting the root.  It does not hurt, but seems wierd

 

1)do i floss below that lip (so i would be flossing the root?)

2)do i need to have that gum replaced?

Tom  

 

 

Dear Tom,

Thanks for writing!

First of all, I am not a professional dentist and I do not play one on TV.

However, that won’t stop me from offering some common sense comments
in reply to your question, but nothing I say should stop you from discussing your concerns with a dentist.

From what I understand, recession of gum tissue is a fairly common
event and it roughly correlates with age. Complicating the relatively natural amount of recession, gum disease can hasten the process and cause it to endanger the retention of teeth. In your case it sounds
like you have some gum recession on your front lower teeth. One of the primary issues that draws a person’s attention to their gum’s recession is sensitivity of the roots when they’re exposed. This
doesn’t seem to be a problem for you. 

Should you floss those areas?
I’d say yes, based on the scientific principal: If it hurts, don’t do it – and you mentioned flossing didn’t hurt.

As you may know, the normally exposed parts of teeth are covered with enamel. The surface of roots is referred to as “cementum.” Decay can occur in enamel and cementum, so it’s important to keep these tooth surfaces clean, which means using floss.

The second part of your question – Should you have a gum transplant to cover the exposed roots? – Well, a dentist will have to discuss that.
But here are some considerations that might pay to keep in mind:
What is the likelihood that the new gum tissue will survive where your
original gum tissue has retreated?
Some gum recession is attributed to overbrushing. Overbrushing is
something you can change, but it might be best to wait on a painful
transplant procedure to see if changed brushing permits gum regrowth.

Also keep in mind that gums love vitamin C. One of the first signs of
vitamin C deficiency (aka “scurvy”) is loose teeth. Gum tissue grows
rapidly and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is fundamental for cell growth
and repair. This is a primary reason a shortage of vitamin C shows
itself with bleeding gums and loose teeth. You can’t conclude that all
gum problems and loose teeth are caused by a shortage of vitamin C,
but when these problems occur, a brief period of vitamin C supplements seems reasonable before anything more costly and painful is tried.

By the way, the worst side effect of too much vitamin C is flatulence
(as in “toot-toot”). Sucking on a small amount of vitamin C (30-60 mg)
1 or 2x/day should get your gums all they can use and not cause any
gastric distress. Some cough drops contain vitamin C and make a tasty way of getting a supplement.

Good luck with your gums, Tom!

Floss on!

Dr. T.