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What Floss Is PFAS-Free?

📅 Updated February 2026⏱️ 4 min readNEW
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TL;DR

Many popular "gliding" flosses use PTFE, a type of PFAS "forever chemical," to slide easily between teeth. Independent testing found up to 248,900 ppm of organic fluorine in top drugstore brands. Fortunately, lab-verified PFAS-free alternatives like Cocofloss, Dr. Tung's, and Boka offer safe, non-toxic cleaning.

🔑 Key Findings

1

33% of 39 tested dental floss products contained indications of PFAS.

2

Oral-B Glide Pro-Health showed the highest levels at 248,900 ppm organic fluorine.

3

PFAS chemicals can take up to nine years to fully leave the human body.

4

In January 2026, Oral-B announced a reformulation to remove PTFE, though independent verification is pending.

The Short Answer

Most "gliding" flosses use PTFE (Teflon), a known PFAS "forever chemical," to slide easily between teeth. Independent testing by Mamavation found organic fluorine—a key marker for PFAS—in 33% of popular dental flosses.

If you want a truly clean routine, switch to uncoated nylon, silk, or expanding polyester flosses. Top verified PFAS-free brands include Cocofloss, Dr. Tung's, Boka, and Tom's of Maine.

Why This Matters

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are synthetic chemicals that literally do not break down in the environment or your body. They are linked to reproductive issues, hormonal disruption, and certain cancers. Is There Pfas In Floss

Because your gums are highly vascular, chemicals in your mouth can easily enter your bloodstream. A landmark 2019 study showed that women who used Oral-B Glide had significantly higher levels of PFHxS (a type of PFAS) in their blood than those who didn't.

In a massive Mamavation and Environmental Health News study, researchers found astronomical levels of organic fluorine in major drugstore brands. The worst offender tested at 248,900 parts per million (ppm). Which Floss Has Pfas

While major brands are finally feeling the pressure—with Oral-B announcing in early 2026 that they removed PTFE from their rebranded floss—independent testing hasn't yet verified these new formulas. Is Glide Floss Safe

What's Actually In Conventional Floss

  • PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) — The exact same chemical used to make non-stick frying pans. It gives "glide" flosses their slippery texture but exposes you to PFAS. Is Dental Floss Safe
  • Petroleum-based Wax — Cheap floss is often coated in microcrystalline wax derived from petroleum. While not necessarily toxic, it's not ideal for daily ingestion. Waxed Vs Unwaxed Floss
  • Synthetic Fragrances — That generic mint flavor is usually created with undisclosed synthetic flavorings rather than actual peppermint oil.

What to Look For

Green Flags:

  • Expanding or woven fibers — These naturally grab plaque without needing a slippery, toxic coating.
  • Natural waxes — Look for coatings made from beeswax, candelilla wax, or coconut oil.
  • Transparency — The best brands explicitly state they are 100% PFAS-free and Teflon-free.

Red Flags:

  • "Glide" or "Smooth" marketing — If a conventional floss brags about how easily it slips between teeth, it likely uses PTFE.
  • Unlabeled wax — If the ingredients just say "wax," it is almost always cheap petroleum wax.
  • "Pro-Health" branding — Historically, the flosses marketed most aggressively for gum health actually harbored the highest PFAS levels.

The Best Options

Here are the top lab-verified, non-toxic flosses to upgrade your routine. Safest Dental Floss

BrandProductVerdictWhy
Dr. Tung'sSmart Floss✅Plant and beeswax coated expanding floss that cleans exceptionally well.
CocoflossWoven Dental Floss✅Infused with coconut oil and verified completely PFAS-free.
BokaEla Mint Floss✅Teflon-free and petroleum-free, using vegetable wax instead.
Tom's of MaineNaturally Waxed✅Classic nylon string coated in beeswax and carnauba palm.
Oral-BGlide (Pre-2026)🚫Tested at 248,900 ppm organic fluorine in independent lab studies.
Store Brands"Smooth Slip" Flosses🚫Target, CVS, and Amazon basics frequently test positive for high PFAS levels.

The Bottom Line

1. Ditch the "Glide" — The slippery texture of conventional floss is usually achieved with toxic Teflon.

2. Switch to woven floss — Expanding flosses like Cocofloss or Dr. Tung's clean plaque better anyway because of their textured surface. Is Cocofloss Clean

3. Check the wax — Ensure your floss is coated with natural beeswax or plant waxes, not petroleum. Is Dr Tungs Floss Clean

FAQ

Did Oral-B remove PFAS from Glide floss?

In January 2026, Oral-B announced they reformulated Glide to remove PTFE, the material directly linked to PFAS. However, consumers should wait for independent lab testing to verify that the new "Healthy Gums" formulation is completely free of all forever chemicals. Is Glide Floss Safe

Is unwaxed floss safer?

Not necessarily, but it removes the risk of petroleum-based waxes. If you want a clean glide, naturally waxed flosses using beeswax or candelilla wax are perfectly safe and much easier on tight teeth. Waxed Vs Unwaxed Floss

Do water flossers contain PFAS?

No, using a Waterpik or similar device completely eliminates the risk of string floss chemicals. They are an excellent non-toxic alternative for daily plaque removal. Is Waterpik Better Than Flossing

References (14)
  1. 1. mamavation.com
  2. 2. ashevilledental.com
  3. 3. greenify-me.com
  4. 4. midtowndentalgroup.com
  5. 5. consumeraffairs.com
  6. 6. montrosedentalwellness.com
  7. 7. greenmatters.com
  8. 8. essentialmovestowellness.com
  9. 9. mamavation.com
  10. 10. consumerlab.com
  11. 11. cd-lawyers.com
  12. 12. ehn.org
  13. 13. atldentalwellness.com
  14. 14. pfasproject.com

🛒 Product Recommendations

✅

Refillable Silk Floss

Dental Lace

This floss is constructed from **100% Italian mulberry silk** and coated with **candelilla wax**. It holds a **USDA BioBased certification** and independent lab testing confirmed it contains **non-detectable levels of organic fluorine**.

Recommended
✅

Hydroxi™ Nano-Hydroxyapatite Floss

Davids

This expanding floss is infused with **nano-hydroxyapatite** to remineralize enamel. It utilizes a **vegan wax and cocoa butter coating** and holds an **EWG Verified certification** for strict ingredient transparency.

Recommended
✅

Plastic Free Biodegradable Silk Floss

Etee

Testing confirmed **non-detect levels of organic fluorine** in this pure mulberry silk floss. It uses **candelilla wax** instead of petroleum and is packaged entirely in **biodegradable corn starch bags**.

Recommended
✅
Tea Tree Oil Dental Floss

Desert Essence

Independently tested and found to have **non-detect levels for organic fluorine**. It utilizes **natural beeswax** for its coating and incorporates **pure tea tree oil**, a recognized natural antimicrobial agent.

Recommended
✅

Natural Silk Floss

Radius

Spun from **fair trade Colombian silk** and coated with **organic coconut oil** instead of synthetic microcrystalline waxes. It is packaged in **100% plastic-free materials** and lab-verified to be free of PFAS markers.

Recommended
✅

Tooth Floss

Public Goods

This minimalist silk floss is coated exclusively in **natural candelilla wax**. It tested completely free of **organic fluorine** and is distributed in a sustainable, **refillable glass bottle**.

Recommended
✅

Organic Bamboo Charcoal Floss

Lucky Teeth

Manufactured from **100% vegan bamboo charcoal fibers** and infused with **organic tea tree and peppermint oils**. It is entirely **PTFE-free** and certified **home compostable**, breaking down within 60-90 days.

Recommended
✅

Pure Silk Eco Floss

Bambo Earth

This product is **USDA BioPreferred certified** and verified through EPA-certified lab testing to have **non-detect levels of organic fluorine**. It features a **vegan candelilla wax** coating and a reusable glass dispenser.

Recommended
✅

Dental Floss

The Humble Co.

A sturdy **nylon 840d floss** coated in plant-based wax rather than petroleum byproducts. Tested and verified by an EPA-certified laboratory to contain **no detectable organic fluorine**.

Recommended
✅

Gentle Tape Floss Tea Tree Mint

Thrive Market

Independent testing confirmed this store-brand option has **non-detectable levels of PFAS**. It utilizes a wider **tape design** and incorporates **natural tea tree extract** rather than undisclosed synthetic flavorings.

Recommended
👌

Straw Wheat Floss Picks

Smart Life Company

These disposable flossers tested clean for **organic fluorine markers**. The handles incorporate **wheat straw bioplastics** to reduce fossil-fuel plastic consumption compared to standard nylon picks.

Acceptable
✅

Brilliant Black Dental Floss

Terra & Co.

Features **bamboo fibers** coated in vegan wax and **activated charcoal** for mechanical plaque removal. The formula omits petroleum-based waxes and utilizes **organic peppermint and coconut oils**.

Recommended
👌

EaseBetween Original Dental Floss

CVS Health

While CVS's smooth variant contains PFAS, this **Original nylon string** variety tested at **non-detect for organic fluorine**. This demonstrates that safe, **budget-friendly store brand options** exist when consumers actively avoid glide-marketing.

Acceptable
👌

Kids Fun Monster Flossers

DenTek

Tested at **non-detect for organic fluorine**, confirming this specific SKU is free from forever chemicals. It provides a lab-verified non-toxic option for **pediatric oral care**, though the handles remain conventional plastic.

Acceptable
🚫

Extra Comfort Mint Dental Floss

Solimo (Amazon Basics)

This Amazon store-brand floss tested at **94,200 ppm for organic fluorine** in an independent EPA-certified lab study. These concentrations indicate that **perfluorinated chemicals were intentionally added** to create a frictionless texture.

Avoid
🚫

Total Mint Waxed Dental Floss

Colgate

Historically marketed as utilizing a **single-strand Teflon fiber**, this floss yielded **91,400 ppm of organic fluorine** in laboratory testing. While the parent company announced plans to phase out PTFE, older inventory and reformulations still pose a contamination risk without updated testing.

Avoid
🚫

Smooth Slide Floss Mint

Up & Up (Target)

Target's generic version of smooth floss demonstrated severe contamination, testing at **74,400 ppm for organic fluorine** in a Mamavation study. Products featuring **smooth slide** or **glide** designations consistently show the highest levels of fluoropolymer applications.

Avoid
🚫

SuperSlip Ease Between Wax

CVS Health

The **SuperSlip** designation on this pharmacy brand indicates the use of synthetic friction-reducing coatings, corroborated when the product **tested positive for PFAS markers**. It utilizes **fluorinated polymers** to achieve its slick texture between tight teeth.

Avoid
⚠️

Refillable Dental Floss Juniper & Berry

Burst Oral Care

Despite eco-friendly branding, lab testing detected **208 ppm of organic fluorine** in this refillable product. While significantly lower than intentional PTFE applications, this moderate level indicates **unintentional PFAS contamination** during the manufacturing or packaging process.

Use Caution
⚠️

Bamboo Floss

EcoRoots

Marketed as a natural alternative, two separate samples of this bamboo floss tested at **14 ppm and 23 ppm for organic fluorine**. This finding demonstrates how **low-level forever chemical contamination** can occur within the supply chains of zero-waste brands.

Use Caution
⚠️

Silk Floss

Wellnesse

Independent testing found **14 ppm of organic fluorine** associated with this natural brand. Subsequent company investigations attributed the trace contamination to the **recycled cardboard and food-grade wax paper packaging**, which tested at **19 ppm**, illustrating how packaging leaches chemicals into clean products.

Use Caution
⚠️

Reach Ultraclean Floss

Listerine

Laboratory tests detected **16 ppm of organic fluorine** in this widely available Johnson & Johnson product. This specific concentration points to **incidental contamination from manufacturing equipment** rather than an intentional Teflon coating.

Use Caution
🚫

PTFE Dental Floss

Quala

This clinical-grade floss explicitly lists its primary material as **100% PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene)** to prevent shredding. By openly utilizing the **same chemical compound used in non-stick cookware**, it guarantees direct exposure to perfluorinated chemicals.

Avoid
🚫

Glide Deep Clean Cool Mint Floss

Crest

This product relies heavily on **PTFE fibers** to achieve its shred-resistant properties. Environmental Health News studies flagged the broader Glide product line for containing **up to 24.8% PFAS compounds by weight**.

Avoid
🚫

Mint Waxed Comfort Floss

Signature Care (Safeway / Albertsons)

This private-label grocery brand tested positive for **high levels of organic fluorine** in independent studies. It utilizes **fluorinated chemical coatings** to mimic the shred-resistant properties of premium synthetic flosses.

Avoid
⚠️

Mint Waxed Dental Floss

Reach

While not explicitly a PTFE product, this conventional floss is coated in **petroleum-derived microcrystalline wax**. Regular ingestion of **hydrocarbon-based petroleum waxes** presents separate toxicity concerns for consumers seeking a fully non-toxic oral care routine.

Use Caution
⚠️
Micro Mint Dental Flossers

Plackers

These mass-market flossers utilize **Super Tuffloss**, an engineered synthetic plastic fiber. While typically made from **UHMWPE (Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene)** rather than PTFE, the lack of third-party **organic fluorine non-detect certifications** warrants caution for strict clean-label shoppers.

Use Caution
⚠️

Comfort Clean Floss Picks

DenTek

Adult floss picks marketed under the **comfort clean** label frequently utilize ultra-smooth synthetic ribbons that risk cross-contamination. Unlike their pediatric line, these lack published **EPA-certified lab results** clearing them of organic fluorine markers.

Use Caution

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