Safe Dental Flosses – Atlanta Dental Wellness (2024)

FAQs

Which dental flosses have PFAS? ›

A new study claims Oral-B dental floss may be exposing you to toxic PFAS chemicals. Oral-B Glide and similar competitor flosses can expose consumers to toxic chemicals, concludes a new study .

Recent research suggests flossing before brushing your teeth is the way to go. This approach is superior for eliminating dental plaque on tooth surfaces and boosts the fluoride concentration in your mouth. Flossing before brushing helps strengthen your tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay.

PTFE Floss is made with polytetrafluorethylene, a material used to make gore-tex fabric. It's highly effective at sliding between tight teeth. Pros: Doesn't shred easily. Perhaps even better at getting between crowded teeth than waxed floss.

Choose flosses made without PFAS or PTFE.

Look for products that specifically say they're not made with PFAS or PTFE. If a product doesn't list coating ingredients or the floss material (and they usually don't), consider avoiding it, especially flosses marketed as “nonstick” or “glides easily.”

If possible, textured, thicker floss with a wax coating will be better at removing plaque before it hardens and becomes tartar.

Tests also confirmed that the company's Glide floss—along with several of its competitors—contained fluorine, a marker of PFAS chemicals. That's concerning, researchers said, since those same compounds have been linked to serious health problems like cancer, fertility issues, and weight gain.

Tests indicate that the following brands in particular may have PFAS: CVS Health EaseBetween SuperSlip Dental Floss Waxed, Oral-B Glide Pro-Health Mint and Glide Pro-Health Original, Crest Glide Deep Clean Cool Mint Floss, Safeway Signature Care Mint Waxed Comfort Floss, and Colgate Total Dental Floss Mint.

Invisalign aligners are made from SmartTrack material and are not made with latex, parabens, phthalates, glutaraldehyde, per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS), epoxy or Bisphenol A (“BPA”).

Gently glide the floss up and down, rubbing it against both sides of each tooth. Don't glide the floss into your gums. This can scratch or bruise your gums. As the floss reaches your gums, curve the floss at the base of the tooth to form a C shape.

Our plastic-free NaturaFloss™ floss is made with plant-based fibers and vegetable wax and allows for easy gliding between your teeth. A vegan, biodegradable, plastic-free product that is safe for everyone in the family and better for our planet.

What is the best material for dental floss? ›

The most common material for woven dental floss is nylon. In fact, the vast majority of flosses are created using tiny filaments of nylon woven together to create one stronger, flat strand.

In water flossing vs floss, there is no clear winner. Using string dental floss and a water flosser together will provide the most thorough cleaning and dental hygiene. Choosing and using a water flosser is an effective part of oral hygiene.