Dental health graphic asking โ€œAre you flossing with forever chemicals?โ€ with photos of flossing, floss picks, and a dental model.

Is Your Dental Floss Shedding "Forever Chemicals"? What the Science Says

Oct 23, 2026
by Beata Havlickova

Dental floss: such an innocent item, yet it could be leaking โ€˜forever chemicalsโ€™ into your body.ย In this article, weโ€™ll dive into the latest research and explore safer alternatives for your routine.

We all know the drillโ€”every checkup comes with the friendly reminder from your dentist to floss more often. Itโ€™s one of the simplest habits for oral health, yet something as ordinary as dental floss could actually be shedding toxic chemicals into your system.

What Are PFAS, and Why Are They Called 'Forever Chemicals'?

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. They are a group of over 10,000 synthetic chemicals that have been widely used in industrial and consumer products since the 1940s.

The problem with these 'forever chemicals' is that they do not naturally degrade. They don't break down easily in water, soil, air, or sunlightโ€”and once inside human or animal bodies, they linger in the bloodstream and tissues for years rather than passing through. Yet, because of their unique, ultra-slippery properties, they have historically been added to many popular dental floss products to create an easy, 'glide-style' slide between teeth.

Potential Health Risks

Scientific research from public health agencies like the U.S. EPA and CDC links long-term, cumulative PFAS exposure to several health issues:ย 

They can disrupt your hormones: PFAS can interfere with your thyroid function and confuse your endocrine system, potentially leading to imbalances in hormones like estrogen and progesterone.

Metabolic Changes: As you might already know, your liver works hard to detoxify your body. When it becomes overwhelmed by lingering PFAS chemicals, its ability to function properly suffers, which can disrupt your metabolism and overall health.

Reproductive and Developmental Concerns: Studies have associated long-term PFAS buildup with reduced fertility, as well as potential developmental delays or lower birth weights in infants.

Increased Risk of Certain Cancers: Public health agencies and toxicological studies have noted that long-term, high-level accumulation of certain PFAS compounds is associated with an elevated risk of kidney and testicular cancers.

How PFAS Enter Your Body Through Flossing

You might wonder how a simple piece of string could pose such a risk. Every time you pull a PFAS-coated 'glide' floss between your teeth, microscopic particles and chemical coatings can rub off onto your gums or be inadvertently swallowed. Because the tissue in the mouth is highly permeable, these substances have a direct pathway into your bloodstream. Repeating this day after day for months and years steadily increases your overall toxic load.

ย How to Choose Safe, Natural Floss

Look for floss made from 100% biodegradable silk, bamboo charcoal fiber, or organic cotton instead of polyester or plastic filaments. Skip the petroleum-derived waxes and opt for natural candelilla wax, carnauba wax, or pure beeswax. Finally, choose options flavored with natural essential oils rather than undisclosed artificial fragrances.

Personally, I use RiseWell, which is completely PFAS-free and uses vegan wax instead of petroleum. However, there are several great non-toxic brands on the market depending on your preferenceโ€”whether you want a silk base, organic cotton, or bamboo charcoal.

Here are other PFAS-free, non-toxic floss brands:

  • Dental Lace

  • RADIUS Natural Silk Floss

  • TreeBird Pure Silk Eco Floss

  • etee Peppermint Silk Dental Floss

  • Lucky Teeth Organic Floss

  • EcoRoots Vegan Eco-Friendly Floss

  • Desert Essence

  • Dr. Tungโ€™s Smart Floss

Making the switch to a non-toxic floss is a simple, high-impact swap that can have a big effect on your long-term health. If you have any questions, let me know in the comments below!

ย Beata Havlickova, RN

ย 

References Coperchini, F., Croce, L., Ricci, G., Magri, F., Rotondi, M., Imbriani, M., & Chiovato, L. (2021). Thyroid Disrupting Effects of Old and New Generation PFAS. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 11, 612320. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2020.612320 Cited by: 426

Briassoulis, G. (2025). Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) and Adverse Health Effects. Life, 15(7), 1057. https://doi.org/10.3390/life15071057 Cited by: 26

ย 

ย 

ย 

Share this