Last week, we discussed how to prepare a healthy Thanksgiving meal, but what happens after that? The day after Thanksgiving is commonly known as “Black Friday,” the biggest shopping days of the year. In light of all the hoopla, one holiday often gets overlooked.
This year, November 25 is also National Flossing Day. After eating your Thanksgiving feast, it’s important to remove all those turkey pieces stuck between your teeth. Flossing day was designed to emphasize the importance of flossing. Without flossing, you could develop tooth decay and gum disease, and your teeth and gums wouldn’t be strong enough to help you eat that delicious meal. Here are some fun flossing facts to help you celebrate the big day.
- Proper flossing should require the average person to use 122 yards of floss per year. However, sales data shows that the average person only uses about 18 yards per year.
- Only 28 percent of people say they floss every day.
- About 73 percent of people would rather go grocery shopping than floss.
- Prison inmates have tried to braid floss into a rope to escape, or use it as a knife or chainsaw.
- Floss can also be used as replacement fishing line and clotheslines.
- Floss was first commercially manufactured in 1882 as a silk thread material.
- During the 1940s, nylon replaced silk floss because it didn’t shred when going between teeth.
- Flossing helps increase blood circulation in your gums to prevent gum disease.
- Floss is available in small tools, like floss picks, for on-the-go dental care.
Although Flossing Day is an annual event, flossing should be a daily activity. Most people floss before bedtime after brushing their teeth. A toothbrush can clean around your teeth, but floss is necessary to reach crevices between your teeth. Dr. Locke can show you the proper way to floss to protect your teeth and gums. Contact our dental office in Waco, TX at (254) 776-4888 to schedule an appointment.