A periodontist from Michigan has warned that several popular dental floss brands contain harmful forever chemicals.
What's happening?
In a video on his YouTube channel, Dr. Joseph Nemeth sounded the alarm about name-brand floss, including Oral-B Glide Pro-Health, Listerine Reach Ultraclean, and Colgate Mint Waxed floss, containing high concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS. He referenced past PFAS testing work on floss from Mamavation, which Consumer Reports has also conducted as recently as this January.
Some of those brands in the time since may have reformulated their product, whether in response to these concerns being raised or independently, so consumers should check manufacturing dates on labels and attempt to do their own research into the latest testing. For example, The Minnesota Star-Tribune conducted even more recent testing and reporting in March that found Oral-B has since improved its product to remove a major type of PFAS known as polytetrafluoroethylene, or PTFE.
"We recently introduced a new floss formula; one of the ways it has changed is that it is no longer formulated with PTFE," Wendy Kennedy, a spokesperson for Oral-B maker Procter & Gamble, said in an email to the Star-Tribune. "It is available in Minnesota and nationwide."
Nemeth explained that companies have often added PFAS to floss because it "helps it slide between teeth more easily, just like nonstick cookware."
According to the latest version of the testing he referenced from Mamavation, which partnered with Environmental Health News, 13 out of 39 dental floss products tested at an EPA-certified laboratory showed indications of PFAS chemicals.
The research at that time found that Oral-B Glide had the highest amount of organic fluorine, a standard PFAS marker, at 248,900 parts per million (ppm), though the Star-Tribune's reporting indicated more newly produced packages of Oral-B floss should now be among the safer options.
After that, Up & Up (Target Brand) Smooth Slide Floss Mint, Colgate Total Mint Waxed Dental Floss, and Solimo (Amazon Brand) Extra Comfort Mint Dental Floss had the next-highest PFAS concentrations, each containing over 70,000 ppm.
However, no tooth floss marketed to children showed indications of having forever chemicals.
"Wow, this really hurts," one person commented on the video. "The dental office gave me Oral-B Pro Health."
TCD Picks » Upway Spotlight
💡Upway makes it easy to find discounts of up to 60% on premium e-bike brands
| Do you worry about having toxic forever chemicals in your home? Majorly 😥 Sometimes 😟 Not really 😐 I don't know enough about them 🤷 Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. |
"I'm a hygienist and this is the first I'm hearing this," another shared. "But nothing surprises me anymore. Thank you for your vigilance and this valuable information."
Said another: "Can't companies just be honest and not put people in danger? And where is the FDA?"
Why is PFAS in dental floss concerning?
PFAS are considered one of the most pervasive chemicals in modern society due to their widespread use in consumer products and their ability to accumulate in humans and the environment. They're found in a wide range of products, including clothing, food packaging, non-stick cookware, firefighting foam, shampoo, makeup, and now dental floss, as the study uncovered.
They can linger in the environment for hundreds or even thousands of years, putting animals, people, and ecosystems at risk. Because of their ubiquitous presence, they've been found virtually everywhere, including in drinking water, soil, air, and even in remote locations like the Arctic Ocean. Researchers have also found toxic chemicals in human blood, breast milk, umbilical cord blood, and even the brain.
When people floss, PFAS can enter the bloodstream through the mucous membranes in the mouth and throat, leading to higher levels in the body. And since most people floss at least once a day, their risk of exposure to the chemicals increases significantly depending on what brand they use.
"These levels that we are seeing from some of these dental floss products do not reflect levels that are safe for human consumption," Linda Birnbaum, former director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program, who reviewed the study, told Mamavation.
"Because PFAS chemicals are persistent & toxic, they could be building up inside consumers every time they floss their teeth and creating a situation that can lead to chronic disease."
What's being done about PFAS in floss?
Mamavation noted that several brands, including Tom's of Maine, Thrive Market, and Dr. Mercola, offer PFAS-free dental floss that also contain high-quality, sustainable ingredients. One of the more interesting examples on that "best" list, found on Mamavation's site, may be the floss picks made by SmartLifeco, as they are made with straw wheat.
That said, while Consumer Reports' latest testing drew some of the same conclusions, it also found other ingredients it labeled as "known risks" in brands that Mamavation cleared from PFAS use, such as nylon in the Tom's brand. CR recommended Nudge Clean Sustainable Silk Floss, Radius Natural Biodegradable Silk Floss, and TreeBird Pure Silk Eco Floss as its top three choices for having no PFAS or other known risks, with TreeBird appearing to have the best customer reviews on Amazon for performance.
Several states, including California, New Mexico, and New York, have enacted bans or restrictions on the use of forever chemicals in products such as cookware, food packaging, and dental floss.
The next time you buy dental floss, make sure to check Mamavation's list of PFAS-free options so you can make the best choice for you and your family. It's also a good idea to research cosmetics and cookware before purchasing, as many brands contain PFAS. Cookware with nonstick coatings, such as those made from cast iron or stainless steel, is always a safe bet.
Editor's note: This article has been updated to include information on more recent testing results from Consumer Reports and The Minnesota Star-Tribune showing that some brands have addressed the levels of PFAS in their dental floss.
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Cool Picks
How the Expedia of solar panels helps homeowners save money and avoid a common trap: 'Giving you confidence in the systems'
Survey makes unexpected find about household solar panels — here's why experts are seeing startling approval ratings
Startup founder reveals the hidden technology essential for next-gen home heating and cooling: 'It's going to become a no-brainer'
This simple bag lets you earn rewards by recycling your old stuff — here's how it works and where to get one
