Dental floss is an essential part of maintaining oral hygiene, but what if something as simple as flossing could harm your health? Recently, concerns have been raised about the presence of forever chemicals—or PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)—in dental floss products. These chemicals, known for their persistence in the environment and human body, are causing concern due to their potential health risks. But how did they end up in dental floss, and what can you do to avoid them?
What Are Forever Chemicals?
Forever chemicals refer to a group of man-made chemicals called PFAS that do not break down easily in the environment. They are resistant to water, oil, and heat, making them useful in a wide range of consumer products such as non-stick cookware, water-repellent clothing, and even dental floss. PFAS are in the blood of nearly all Americans, and testing of umbilical cord blood and breast milk indicates that exposure begins before birth. Some PFAS bioaccumulate — build up — which means even low exposures are cause for concern over time as our bodies accumulate more and more of them.
How Do Forever Chemicals End Up in Dental Floss?
You may wonder why PFAS, which are commonly found in non-stick pans and waterproof clothing, would be in dental floss. These chemicals are used in some dental floss brands to provide a slick coating that helps the floss glide more easily between teeth, making flossing more comfortable. This same property of reducing friction is also found in other products, making PFAS a versatile but potentially harmful additive.
Independent website Mamavation sent 39 different dental floss products off to an EPA-certified laboratory to look for indications of PFAS “forever chemicals. Mamavation’s lab used marker testing to identify the potential presence of PFAS “forever chemicals” in dental floss products. Organic fluorine serves as a key marker for detecting PFAS since all PFAS chemicals are carbon-based and contain fluorine. Mamavation’s lab used the method Determination of Total Fluorine by Oxygen Flask Combustion and Ion-Selective Electrode to test for total fluorine. If levels above 10 ppm were found, they then tested for free fluoride ions and subtracted that from the total to determine the amount of organic fluorine. This type of marker testing is likely to indicate the presence of PFAS in the dental floss.
Recent laboratory findings
Out of the 39 products tested, 13 brands showed detectable levels of organic fluorine, indicating the likely presence of PFAS. Testing for PFAS directly is challenging due to the existence of over 12,000 different compounds. Instead, marker testing is used, a method also commonly applied in the food packaging industry to determine whether products can be labeled as “compostable.”
Below you will find a breakdown of the WORST- BETTER-BEST options according to Mamavation EPA-certified laboratory. Brands with jaw-dropping amounts of organic fluorine we marked with **.
Worst on the list are :
- Burst Refillable Dental Floss Juniper & Berry — 208 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine
- **Colgate Total Mint Waxed Dental Floss — 91,400 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine
- EcoRoots Bamboo Floss — 23 & 14 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine (2 samples)
- Listerine Reach Ultraclean Floss — 16 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine
- **Oral B Glide Pro-Health Deep Clean Floss — 248,900 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine (This product is quite possibly 24% PFAS!!!!!!)
- **Solimo (Amazon) Extra Comfort Mint Dental Floss — 94,200 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine
- RiseWell Scrubby Floss — 11 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine
- Rite Aid Premium Waxed Dental Floss — 17 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine
- **Up & Up (Target) Smooth Slide Floss Mint — 74,400 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine
- Wellnesse 100% Biodegradable Silk Peppermint Floss — 14 & 22 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine (2 samples). This brand is in the process of reformulating.
Better brand dental floss options:
These brands did not contain detectable levels of organic fluorine, meaning no PFAS was likely present. However, they are made from less eco-friendly materials like single-use plastics, which pose environmental concerns since they can take hundreds of years to break down in landfills. The high amount of plastic used in most disposable flossers is problematic, and while it should be limited, unfortunately, it continues to be widely used.
- CVSHealth EaseBetween Original Dental Floss — non-detect organic fluorine
- Dentek Kids Fun Monster Flossers — non-detect organic fluorine
- Dr. Rams Fun Flexi Flossers Fun Fruity Flavor — non-detect organic fluorine
- Equate (Walmart) Mint Waxed Dental Floss — non-detect organic fluorine
- Grin Fine Tight Teeth Flosspyx Minty — non-detect organic fluorine
- Gum Crayola Kids Flossers Grape Flavor Fluoride Coated — non-detect organic fluorine
- Holy Rose Kids Dental Floss Dispenser — non-detect organic fluorine
- Kindfill Peppermint Floss by Humankind — non-detect organic fluorine
- Oral B Superfloss Mint Dental Floss for Braces — non-detect organic fluorine
- Piico Dental Floss Picks for Kids — non-detect organic fluorine
- Plackers Twin-Line — non-detect organic fluorine
- Platypus Orthodontic Flosser — non-detect organic fluorine
- Quip Floss Pick Refill — non-detect organic fluorine
- Smartly (Target Brand) Waxed Mint Dental Floss — non-detect organic fluorine
- REACH Mint Waxed Floss — non-detect organic fluorine
- T Smile R 3rd Generation Floss — non-detect organic fluorine
- Trueocity Kids Flossers Bubblegum Flavor — non-detect organic fluorine
Best brands for Dental tooth floss
Mamavation`s lab did not detect organic fluorine in any of these brands, confirming no PFAS presence. We also appreciate these brands for prioritizing sustainable materials and high-quality ingredients. A few “flossers” in this category stood out for their commitment to avoiding single-use petroleum-based plastics, and aligning with eco-friendly practices.
- Bambo Earth Pure Silk Eco Floss Mint Flavored — non-detect organic fluorine
- Boka Ela Mint Floss — non-detect organic fluorine
- Cocofloss Delicious Mint — non-detect organic fluorine
- Desert Essence Tea Tree Oil Dental Floss — non-detect organic fluorine
- Dr. Mercola Dental Floss 100% Vegan-Waxed with Essential Oils — non-detect organic fluorine [updated 8/2024]
- Etee Plastic Free Biodegradable Silk Waxed Floss Mint Flavor — non-detect organic fluorine
- Nudge Dental Floss — non-detect organic fluorine
- Public Goods Tooth Floss — non-detect organic fluorine
- Radius Sponge Floss Peppermint with Coconut Oil — non-detect organic fluorine
- Smart Life Company Straw Wheat Floss Picks — non-detect organic fluorine
- The Humble Co. Plant-Based Materials Floss Picks — non-detect organic fluorine
- Thrive Market Gentle Tape Floss Tea Tree Mint — non-detect organic fluorine
- Tom’s of Maine Naturally Waxed Antiplaque flat floss — non-detect organic fluorine
- Wowe Silk Floss Natural Mint — non-detect organic fluorine
Why Aren’t All Dental Floss Brands Moving Away from PFAS?
Despite the known risks associated with PFAS, not all dental floss brands have shifted to safer alternatives. The reasons for this include:
- Cost: PFAS-based products are often cheaper to produce, making them more attractive for companies looking to cut costs.
- Consumer awareness: Many consumers are still unaware of the presence of PFAS in dental products, meaning there is less pressure on brands to make a change.
- Manufacturing challenges: Creating effective alternatives to PFAS can be difficult, requiring research, new materials, and production changes.
Switching to non-toxic dental floss and other safer dental care products doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start by identifying the harmful products in your routine and gradually replacing them with safe alternatives. It’s important to do research on the ingredients in your dental care products and choose brands that are transparent about their manufacturing processes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Forever Chemicals in Dental Floss
1. What are forever chemicals, and why are they dangerous?
Forever chemicals, or PFAS, are synthetic chemicals that don’t break down easily and can build up in the environment and human body, causing health risks.
2. How do I know if my dental floss contains PFAS?
Check the packaging for terms like “Teflon” or “slick coating.” Research the brand to see if they use PFAS in their products.
