Abstract
While wild animals don't floss, they usually maintain a healthy mouthful of teeth for life. Humans, on the other hand, are lucky to get through life with a full and complete healthy set of teeth, thus suggesting lifestyle factors in their destruction. Poor nutrition, inactivity, smoking, obesity, and diabetes are leading culprits in this demise, leading to the major modern problems of dental decay/erosion and periodontal disease. Early detection by an observant clinician can help prevent and/or reverse these problems.