The Best Non Toxic Floss (PFAS-Free & Teflon-Free)
Many popular brands of dental products including dental floss are actually made with toxic materials. But we can’t stop flossing because it’s just as important as brushing teeth in order to get rid of plaque, reduce the risk of cavities, and keep your breath fresh. So using non toxic dental floss or a water flosser is the best choice as an alternative.
In this post, we’ll talk about the toxic chemicals in PFAS dental floss brands and why they’re bad for you and the environment. Let’s get into it.
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Is floss toxic?
Conventional floss can be toxic to your body and the environment as well.
Many floss products are coated with PFAS chemicals which can potentially cause liver damage and negatively affect the immune system. PFAS stands for per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
In fact, a study found high levels of perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) in women who used Oral-B Glide floss than women who did not use it. PFHxS is a type of PFAS and the chemical is nicknamed “the forever chemical” because it doesn’t break down.
Dental floss containing fluorine likely means there is PFAS present in the floss.
Not only does conventional dental floss have PFAS, but some also contain Teflon which is also the coating that many nonstick pans use.
Traditional floss also is often made from nylon or polyester which are both synthetic materials that are not biodegradable. Since they don’t break down, they persist in the environment and fill up our landfills.
Since PFAS are so prevalent in everyday items, it’s difficult to completely avoid them. But the most important thing to do is to avoid it as much as possible. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that since 2002, the use of PFAS has declined and PFAS levels in humans have also declined.
That goes to show that intentionally using products with no PFAS whenever possible does make a difference.
What toxic chemicals are in dental floss?
PFAS
Conventional dental floss is often coated with PFAS to enable them to glide easily. However, PFAS is associated with thyroid disease, autoimmune diseases, liver damage, and fertility issues.
Petroleum
Petroleum is an endocrine disruptor and can potentially cause cancer. Nylon and polyester floss are made from petroleum.
Plastic
Plastic is used in dental floss including Nylon and Teflon. It often contains BPA and phthalates which are both endocrine disruptors.
Which floss is not toxic?
Silk
Silk floss is made from the cocoon of the silkworm and the fibers are spun into dental floss. They’re a popular floss alternative to nylon or Teflon floss because it’s biodegradable, eco-friendly plastic-free, and gentle on gums.
Silk floss also comes with a natural wax coating made from plant-based materials so there are no PFAS.
Bamboo
Bamboo floss is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional flosses. It’s made from the pulp of the bamboo plant. It’s a sustainable option because bamboo is a fast-growing renewable plant that uses little water and no pesticides to grow.
This type of floss is also biodegradable so it’ll reduce its impact on the environment.
Corn
Corn floss, also known as cornstarch floss, is made with corn fiber. It’s biodegradable, eco-friendly, natural, and vegan.
Some corn floss is made with corn that is genetically modified, so make sure to look for corn that is non-GMO.
How does non-toxic dental floss reduce environmental impact?
PFAS not only accumulates in the body but also persists in the environment. When it’s in the environment, there’s a risk of harming aquatic life and animals.
Plastic floss made with nylon or polyester contributes to plastic pollution and plastics can leach chemicals.
Non-toxic floss is a much better alternative to traditional floss for the environment because it’s biodegradable, made with renewable resources, and does not create plastic waste.
Best Non Toxic Dental Floss That Are Natural Floss Alternatives
1. TreeBird Peace Silk Floss
TreeBird Silk Eco Floss is made with 100% peace silk floss and waxed with plant-based Candelilla wax. This natural silk floss is completely biodegradable and doesn’t have any artificial ingredients.
There is 100% no plastic in here and is made without PFAS and Teflon.
Since this floss uses peace silk, it ensures silkworms don’t get harmed in the process of creating the silk.
This is a 5-pack refill and doesn’t come with a reusable container. If you want one with a reusable container, get this one.
2. Radius Unscented Silk Dental Floss
Radius silk floss is made with 100% pure silk and candelilla plant wax, packaged in a 100% plastic-free box. The outer box is also functional because it acts as a floss dispenser.
There are no preservatives, PFAS, gluten, GMOs, parabens, or phthalates in this floss.
The non toxic dental floss is more delicate and can be easier to break than traditional floss made with nylon.
3. Public Goods Silk Dental Floss
Public Goods Silk Floss is made with 100% biodegradable silk and comes with a reusable glass bottle. It’s also coated with peppermint candelilla wax.
This non-toxic dental floss has no PFAS, parabens, synthetic fragrances, SLS, phthalates, or other harmful chemicals.
The texture is a bit thicker than traditional flosses but it still easily glides through teeth.
4. Tom’s of Maine Floss
Tom’s of Maine Floss is a 32-yard pack of floss made with nylon and waxed with beeswax, carnauba wax, and jojoba oil.
It doesn’t have any artificial preservatives, colors, or artificial flavors. It’s also cruelty-free.
Even though this non toxic floss is made with nylon, it’s made without PFAS so it’s safe to use. This is a great choice for floss if you like the texture of regular floss but want the non-toxic alternative.
The packaging does come in a plastic container but the good news is it can be recycled.
5. Cocofloss Mint Floss
Cocofloss Floss is one of the most popular eco-friendly and non-toxic dental flosses with thousands of positive reviews on Amazon.
This eco-friendly floss is infused with coconut oil and vegan wax. It’s also uniquely designed with a textured weave so it’s able to easily get plaque and debris from your teeth and gums.
This biodegradable dental floss is made without PFAS, parabens, and sulfates.
6. Boka Ella Mint Floss
Boka Mint Floss is made without petroleum, Teflon, and PFAS. It’s designed with hundreds of soft microfibers so it easily cleans hard-to-reach spots.
It’s not quite as thick as many other natural flosses but also not as thin as floss as conventional floss brands. But it’s very gentle on the gums while also being very effective at cleaning.
The whole package is 30 yards of non-toxic floss.
7. Me Mother Earth Charcoal Bamboo Dental Floss
This Charcoal Bamboo Floss by Me Mother Earth is made with bamboo charcoal fiber, vegan candelilla wax, and peppermint essential oil.
This safe dental floss is completely biodegradable and comes in a plastic-free box.
The biggest benefit of bamboo floss is it’s very sturdy and doesn’t break as easily as silk floss. And unlike silk floss, this is a type of vegan floss.
8. Better & Better Natural Floss
Better & Better creates a very innovative kind of floss. It’s made with plant-based nylon which is derived from castor oil and is biodegradable, unlike traditional nylon.
Plant-based nylon is often used but it’s a really great material because it’s petroleum-free and non-toxic.
It’s also coated with vegetable wax, jojoba oil, and peppermint oil. Every package comes in a refillable glass jar.
9. PlantishFuture Cornstarch Floss
PlantishFuture Cornstarch Floss is made with cornstarch-based PLA which is a sustainable and biodegradable material. It’s also coated with candelilla plant wax.
It’s packaged in a reusable bamboo container. This bamboo container is a good alternative to glass containers because it’s less prone to breakage.
Everything is plastic-free so this perfect if you want to live a more zero waste lifestyle.
10. SmartLifeCo Dental Floss Picks
SmartLifeCo Dental Floss Picks are made with a straw wheat handle and Nylon-4 thread, which is a biodegradable material.
The non-toxic floss picks are also waxed with candelilla wax so they can slide through your teeth easily.
These eco flosser picks are also mint flavored and they’re easy on the gums.
Frequently Asked Questions about Natural Dental Floss
Do All Dental Floss Have PFAS?
Not all dental floss have PFAS. Even some flosses made with plastic don’t contain PFAS. Just check the manufacturers to see whether the floss contains PFAS.
What dental floss doesn’t have PFAS?
These are the safest dental floss without PFAS:
- TreeBird Peace Silk Floss
- Radius Unscented Silk Dental Floss
- Public Goods Silk Dental Floss
- Tom’s of Maine Floss
- Cocofloss Mint Floss
- Boka Ella Mint Floss
- Me Mother Earth Charcoal Bamboo Dental Floss
- EcoRootsShop Bamboo Floss
- Better & Better Natural Floss
- PlantishFuture Cornstarch Floss
- SmartLifeCo Dental Floss Picks
Which brands of dental floss contain PFAS?
These are dental floss with PFAS and should be avoided!
- Oral-B Glide Pro-Health
- Colgate Total Dental Floss
- Solimo Extra Comfort Mint Dental Floss (Amazon Brand)
- Up & Up Smooth Slide Floss (Target Brand)
- Signature Care Mint Waxed Comfort Floss
- Crest Glide Deep Clean Cool Mint Floss
Is bamboo dental floss safe?
Bamboo dental floss is safe to use. It’s made from bamboo which is a sustainable and renewable resource. Bamboo floss is also gentle on gums and teeth so it’s suitable for people with sensitive teeth and gums. It’s a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to nylon floss.
Is Nylon dental floss safe?
Nylon and polyester dental floss is not a toxic substance like Teflon but it’s not biodegradable and is made with petroleum which can accumulate in the body over time.
Is Teflon dental floss safe?
Teflon dental floss is made with a synthetic material that is used to contain PFOA, which is toxic to humans. Since 2013, all Teflon products are produced without PFOA. However, there may still be other toxic chemicals like PTFE and PFAS in Teflon so it’s best to avoid Teflon floss.
Which dental floss has Teflon?
These dental floss brands have Teflon or PTFE.
- Oral-B Glide Pro-Health
- Colgate Total Dental Floss
- Up & Up Smooth Slide Floss (Target Brand)
Is Oral B dental floss toxic?
Oral B Glide dental floss has PFAS which are toxic to your body. A study found that a group of women who used Oral B Glide dental floss had higher levels of PFAS in their bodies than those who didn’t use the floss.
Does Tom’s dental floss contain PFAS?
Tom’s of Maine dental floss is PFAS-free.
Tips For Shopping For Non-Toxic Floss
- Choose an eco-friendly floss made with silk, bamboo, or corn fibers.
- Look for floss that does not contain PFASs. Floss made with fluoride typically contains PFAS.
- If the label says “glides easily” or “slides easily”, pay extra attention to the materials it uses.
- For flavored floss, look for flavors made with natural substances and ones made without synthetic fragrances.
- For waxed flosses, choose floss that uses candelilla wax, coconut oil, or beeswax.
That’s a wrap on this post of the best non toxic dental floss to get. Reducing the consumption of toxic ingredients in small ways in our life can lead to a bigger impact as a whole. We hope this article helped you become more aware of the harmful chemicals in popular floss brands and help you figure out the best dental floss to get.
For more non-toxic living guides, check out these posts!
