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FLOSSING… A HISTORY LESSON
The word “floss” comes from the french soie floche, meaning floss silk. The first recorded use of flossing dates to a New Orleans dentist named Levi Spear Parmley in 1851. He recommended running a wax silk thread between the teeth “to dislodge that irritating matter which no brush can remove and which is the real source of disease.” He thought it was the single most important part of dental home care. The first unwaxed silk floss was commerically produced in 1882. Johnson & Johnson received the first patent for silk floss in 1898 and it was made from the same material as surgical stitches. Nylon and cotton were both used throughout the years.
The material chosen isn’t as important as getting the patient to actually use it. Floss picks and water picks have also become popular in recent years.
Did you know that in WWII, 10% of recruits were rejected because of poor oral health? Flossing is a small routine that can make dramatic differences in oral health and total body health. It helps you get to the “roots” of things and puts more bite into your eating!
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Gary R. Pearl, DMD, MAGD
Scott A Pearl, DMD, FAGD
Adam R Abel, DMD, MD
Gary R. Pearl, DMD, MAGD
Gary R. Pearl, DMD, MAGD, graduated from the University of Connecticut with a BS in Pharmacy and the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. He spent his general practice residency at Park City Hospital in Bridgeport, CT, and is a graduate of the Pankey Institute in Key Biscayne, FL. In 2005, he achieved the highest Academy of General Dentistry honor- Mastership (MAGD). Dr. Pearl is a member of the American Dental Association (ADA), American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Connecticut State Dental Association (CSDA), and the Academy of General Dentistry. Dr. Pearl is an expert in many facets of dentistry is constantly advancing what dentistry can offer.
Scott A Pearl, DMD, FAGD
Scott A Pearl, DMD, FAGD, attended college at the University of Connecticut followed be earning a masters degree in Molecular and Cell Biology from Quinnipiac University. He graduated from the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine and completed his residency training at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, NY. In 2021, Dr. Pearl became a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, a milestone reached by only six percent of dentists in the US. He is President of the New Haven Dental Association from 2024 to 2025 (Board Member since 2021), and a member of the American Academy of Facial Esthetics, American Dental Association and CT State Dental Association. His clinical interests include CEREC digital dentistry and implants.. He believes that quality dental care can profoundly affect patients’ physical and mental well-being.
View LinkedIn ProfileAdam R Abel, DMD, MD
Adam R Abel, DMD, MD, specializes in oral and maxillofacial surgery. He received his BS from Tufts University and his DMD from the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. He then underwent specialty training in oral and maxillofacial surgery at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell Medical Center. He earned an MD degree at Weill Cornell Medicine and completed extensive training in anesthesiology and general surgery. Dr. Abel also works in NYC and has a teaching position at Weill Cornell, where he also performs advanced jaw surgeries, including orthognathic surgery. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.