Have you heard of PFAs yet? They’re essentially forever chemicals, which are found in various consumer products. The problem is PFAs break down VERY slowly over time and have been found in the blood of people and animals all over the world. PFAS have been found in water, air, fish, and soil at locations across the nation and the globe. How do they get there? Well – they’re in all sorts of products we use on a consistent basis, including floss. Yes – conventional dental floss has PFAs! Something that we are literally putting in our mouths should not contain harsh chemicals that pollute our body and environment. That’s why I’m sticking to floss without PFAs. Here are my favorite sustainable floss brands that aren’t formulated with PFAs.
FYI, this is a guest post written by Sydney Montagna, a zero waste advocate and aspiring writer. Intro was written by Ariana Storniolo. This post contains affiliate links. This means if you choose to purchase one of these items I will make a very small commission at no extra charge to you. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.
Floss Without PFAS: 8 Of The Best Eco-Friendly Options
Which dental floss does not have PFAs?
When searching for dental floss without PFAs, there’s a few factors to consider. PFAs (polyfluoroalkyl substances), are a group of lab-made chemicals that are resistant to water, grease, and heat. They’re also known as “forever chemicals”, since they take a very long time to break down. You can be exposed to PFAs by eating foods with high levels of PFAs, drinking contaminated well water, or using certain consumer products (nonstick cookware, pesticides, etc.).
PFAs can affect your health by increasing the risks of thyroid disease, high blood pressure, and even cancer. So it’s clear that no one wants to be exposed to man-made chemicals that are harmful to their health.
Each dental floss listed in this article are PFA-free, as you’ll be able to verify by checking their organic ingredients. Keep an eye out for these key features when searching for PFA-free dental floss:
- Natural ingredients- Look for simple ingredients that are vegan, plant-based, and organic. A lot of eco-friendly dental floss is made from pure silk, which is a great alternative. It’s important to know each and every ingredient in the product you’re using.
- Biodegradable/compostable- Whether it’s the product itself or the products packaging, being biodegradable or compostable is a sure fire way to know there’s little to no plastic found in the product- which is where most PFAs are found.
- Certifications/charitable- Look for companies that have certifications (such as B-Corp, Fair Trade, or Carbon Neutral) or donate to charity in some shape or form. This indicates that the brand prioritizes morals and sustainability.
Does CVS dental floss contain PFAs?
Considering CVS is an extremely popular pharmacy, there’s a chance you’ve purchased your dental floss from there before, or at least considered it. But the real question is- does CVS brand carry PFA-free dental floss?
Certain tests indicate that the following dental floss products (CVS brand and otherwise) tested positive for PFAs:
- Colgate Total Dental Floss Mint
- CVS Health SuperSlip Ease Between Wax
- Oral-B Glide Pro-Health Mint
- Oral-B Glide Pro-Health Original
- Crest Glide Deep Clean Cool Mint Floss
- Signature Care Mint Waxed Comfort Floss
Each dental floss was tested for the presence of fluorine- a marker of PFAs. While most of these aren’t from CVS’ own brand, CVS still carries all of these dental flosses in their stores. This is why it’s important to look for that PFA-free label while shopping for dental floss.
The best eco-friendly floss without PFAS on the market
Ready for some solutions? Here are the top eight floss options manufactured without PFAs that also are eco-conscious! And by that, I mean they’re made using recycled materials, offer refills, plastic-free packaging, and/or utilize compostable materials!
1. Cocofloss
- *Ariana’s favorite!*
- Made of 85% polyester from recycled water bottles
- Free of BPAs, parabens, SLS, PFAs, etc.
- Naturally antibacterial
- 32% less CO2 emissions
- Offers refills in various flavors
- Made ethically in Italy
2. Dental Lace
- Made from 100% Italian silk
- Biodegradable + refillable
- 100% certified as a Biobased Product
- Recyclable packaging
- Offers charcoal + plant-based options
- Compostable refill bags
3. Public Goods
- Made of real silk + natural candelilla wax
- 100% biodegradable
- Free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and synthetics
- Refillable
- Compostable packaging
4. By Humankind
- Made of Italian silk + vegan wax
- Refillable
- Carbon Neutral
- 100% biodegradable
- Natural ingredients
- Comes with 30 yards of silk floss
5. Ecoroots
- Made from bamboo fiber + vegan wax
- Free from fluoride, preservatives, gluten, etc.
- Refillable glass container
- Compostable + recyclable packaging
- Offers refill packs of four
6. Radius
- Offers floss made from silk or vegan sponge
- Biodegradable, recyclable + plastic-free
- Natural, plant-based ingredients
- Free from BPAs, GMOs, parabens, etc.
- Certified B-Corp
7. Tom’s Of Maine
- Made of waxed nylon floss
- Free from artificial flavors, colors + preservatives
- Recyclable packaging
- 10% of profits go to charity
- Certified B-Corp
8. The Humble Co.
- Made of nylon 840d + candelilla wax
- Founded Humble Smile Foundation
- Recyclable packaging
- Developed by dentists
- Vegan + cruelty-free
- Offers plant-based floss sticks
So, are you going to choose floss without PFAs from here on out? Let me know in the comments!
Want more eco dental care tips, check out my zero waste dental care routine in full.
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Guest post: Sydney Montagna is an advocate for animals and plastic-free living. She is studying English and is an aspiring writer. In her spare time, you can find her watching classic TV shows and researching all things Michael Jackson related.
