Who invented dental floss and when?

Horrified by the state of his patients' teeth, US dentist Levi Spear Parmly (1790-1859) designed what is now known as dental floss and advised his patients to use a thin waxed silk thread.

Dr. Levi Spear Parmly (1790-1859), an influential American figure in the field of dental prevention, introduced flossing as the most efficient way to prevent dental disease. Dr. Parmly practiced in the United States, England and France. Many of his ideas about controlling dental diseases are still highly applicable to modern clinical practice.

Parmly, who asked her patients to clean the food residues accumulated between the teeth by inserting this thread between their teeth, claimed that the use of dental floss, as well as regular brushing of the teeth, would prevent the formation of bacteria in the gums. Today, dental floss is known as one of the least used methods, although it is one of the most efficient methods for maintaining oral health.

Cleaning between teeth with a thread or toothpick-like stick actually predates Spear Parmly. However, Parmly has invented the tools and method to do this job easily. Parmly was the first to not only invent the use of dental floss, but also to articulate its benefits in a variety of settings. Parmly, who published his book Practical Guide to Dental Management in 1819, recommends flossing several times a day.

Despite Spear Parmly's recommendations, floss did not become popular in a short time. Commercial production of dental floss began in 1874, after Codman and Shurtleft patented their floss and went into production. Johnson & Johnson company, on the other hand, produced a thread made of silk used to protect surgical sutures as dental floss, paving the way for the widespread use of dental floss. The company acquired Codman and Shurtleft around 1900.

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