Not many of us floss regularly, and even fewer think about what goes into our floss. But maybe we should.
A new investigation from Consumer Reports and Made Safe uncovers surprising and potentially harmful chemicals in some of the most popular dental floss brands.
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Some dental flosses contain PFAS chemicals to help teeth glide more smoothly. However, these “forever chemicals” have been linked to various health problems and environmental concerns. Some dental floss products also contain unknown flavors and are made from plastic.
CR and Made Safe, a nonprofit organization focused on product safety and sustainability, recently analyzed the ingredients of various dental flosses.
Ten dental floss products either did not list their ingredients or contained PFAS or other ingredients that were of concern to health, posing a higher risk to consumers.
Three types of dental floss stood out as favorites because they contain safer and more sustainable ingredients.
Although companies are not required to disclose all ingredients in their dental floss, Tom’s of Maine, Dental Lace, Cocofloss and Nudge CR provided full ingredient lists and confirmed that they do not intentionally add PFAS to their products.
Procter & Gamble, the maker of Oral-B Glide, confirmed that its floss contains PTFE (a type of PFAS), citing performance benefits. However, the company claims the floss is safe and free of certain PFAS that are being phased out.
The Humble Co. provided partial information and confirmed PFAS-free status, but provided incomplete information about taste.
The other companies did not respond to our inquiries or did not answer our questions.
For people who hate thread floss, how about a water flosser? Water flossers like Waterpik are good for removing food particles. While they may not be quite as effective as floss at removing bacteria, they are a good alternative for people who don’t like flossing or find it difficult to use.
CR recommends choosing floss that is coated with natural substances such as beeswax or plant-based waxes. Also look for floss made from biodegradable materials such as silk or cotton that is either flavorless or flavored with disclosed natural ingredients.
Remember: The best way to floss is to use it regularly.
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