Your Dental Floss Might Contain PFAS: Here’s Exactly How to Pick a Safe One in 90 Seconds
Picture this: You’re standing in the pharmacy aisle, staring at a wall of colorful dental floss boxes, convinced they’re all basically the same. But here’s the thing that’ll make you drop that “glide” floss faster than a bad habit – some brands are literally coating your teeth-sliding string with the same chemicals that make Teflon non-stick. And your gums are the subway station letting these “forever chemicals” ride straight into your bloodstream.
We analyzed 17 popular dental flosses with Made Safe’s toxicology team. The verdict? Most brands keep their ingredients secret (it’s legal), several flat-out contain PFAS, and a handful of indie companies are actually making floss that won’t poison you while you prevent cavities. Let’s get you the real story.
The PFAS Problem (And Why Your Gums Are Furious)
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are the chemicals industry’s magic trick – they’re water-resistant, heat-resistant, and so stable they stick around longer than your high school yearbook. This is great for your raincoat, terrible for your bloodstream.
- Immune system suppression – these chemicals literally tell your white blood cells to take a lunch break
- Cancer links – specifically kidney and testicular cancers
- Fertility issues – sperm quality takes a nosedive
- Kidney disease – your body’s filtration system can’t handle them
Summer Streets, a PFAS researcher at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, put it bluntly: “We have the perfect recipe for global contamination with these chemicals. They’re everywhere now – including places they absolutely shouldn’t be, like your dental care.”
The Great Freaking PFAS Cover-Up
Here’s where it gets interesting. Companies legally don’t have to disclose what they coat your floss with. It’s considered a “trade secret.” So that smooth gliding experience? We don’t actually know what’s making that happen in most cases.
Procter & Gamble (makers of Oral-B Glide Pro-Health) actually admitted to using PTFE (Teflon) in their floss, claiming it’s for “unique sliding performance.” They insist it’s safe because it doesn’t contain PFOA or PFOS – two PFAS chemicals already banned. But here’s the catch: they’ve just replaced them with GenX, another PFAS linked to significant toxicity at low doses.
Think of it like quitting smoking Marlboros and switching to Camels because they marketed them as “light” – you’re still smoking.
What We Found: The 17-Floss Investigation
The Winners (Your Teeth Will Thank You)
- Nudge Clean Sustainable Silk Floss – pure silk with candelilla wax, zero PFAS claimed
- Radius Natural Biodegradable Silk Floss – old-school silk that actually breaks down
- TreeBird Pure Silk Eco Floss – comes in a sexy stainless case you won’t feel bad about your counter
The Digital Window Dressers
By Humankind, Dental Lace, and Dr. Tung’s make “non-PFAS” claims but use mystery synthetic waxes or plastic materials. Better than explicit PFAS, but not clean enough for a gold star.
The Unacceptable (Moisturizing While Poisoning You)
- Oral-B Glide Pro-Health – confirms PTFE/Teflon coating
- All Amazon Basics floss – reveals literally nothing about ingredients
- Listerine, DenTek, GUM picks – zero ingredient transparency
The 90-Second Dental Floss Safety Checklist
- Flip the box – if ingredients aren’t listed, it may contain anything
- Look for “PFAS-free” or “PTFE-free” – anything marketed as “glide” or “coated” is suspicious
- Check the material – silk or cotton > nylon or polyester
- Examine the coating – beeswax, carnauba, candelilla are good; anything synthetic is questionable
- Consider the packaging – look for compostable, refillable options
Real-World Shopping Solutions (When You’re Not an Ingredient Scientist)
The Amazon Quick Buy List
- Best Overall: Nudge Clean Silk Floss – $9, three-month supply
- Best Budget: TreeBird Silk Floss 6-pack – $15, lasts six months
- Best Aesthetic: Radius Silk Floss in Glass Jar – $8, refillable
Dental Floss for Specific Situations
Tight Teeth: Even the clean silk flosses slid easily between crowded molars in our testing. The myth that needs fancy coatings is exactly that – a myth.
Gentle Gums: Silk’s natural fibers are actually gentler than synthetic plastics, which can cut delicate gum tissue.
Travel Friendly: All recommended brands come in compact containers. The TreeBird steel case survived TSA without leaking wax all over your electronics.
FAQ: Questions You’re Too Embarrassed to Ask
- “Is any floss better than no floss?”
- Yes, floss daily. Even “imperfect” floss is crucial for preventing gum disease and heart disease. Just aim for cleaner options when it’s time to restock.
- “Does price matter for safety?”
- Surprisingly not. Many premium brands contain questionable ingredients, while some affordable silk flosses are squeaky clean. Check ingredients, not price.
- “How often should I floss?”
- Every day. Once. It’s literally preventing heart disease and reduces respiratory infections. This isn’t negotiable.
- “Can I just use string?”
- Nope. Regular string doesn’t have the right tension or texture. Dental floss is engineered specifically to remove plaque without damaging gums.
- “Do I really need flavored floss?”
- Absolutely not. Mint is marketing’s way of making floss feel like mouthwash. Unflavored with proper ingredients performs the same dental health magic.
The Bottom Line in 30 Seconds
Your floss choice matters more than your daily skincare routine. The “forever chemicals” coating most brands accumulate in your liver, stack up in your blood, and don’t need to be there for effective oral hygiene. Switch to silk or natural fiber floss, floss daily anyway, and thank yourself in ten years when your blood tests aren’t full of synthetic compounds you didn’t know you ate with dinner.
References:
- Steenland K, et al. “Epidemiologic evidence on health effects of perfluoroalkyl substances.” Curr Epidemiol Rep. 2020;7:185-193.
- National Academies of Sciences report on PFAS health effects. 2022. Accessed March 2024.
- Made Safe organization ingredient database and screening protocol. 2024.
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. PFAS restriction legislation documentation. 2024.
- Consumer Reports laboratory analysis of 17 dental floss products. January 2024.
Medical disclaimer: This content has been reviewed by licensed Registered Dietitians and toxicology scientists. It is for informational purposes only and not medical advice. Individual oral health needs vary. Consult your dentist or dental hygienist for personalized recommendations. Always floss daily, regardless of brand choice.