PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances): How can I avoid PFAS in dental floss, food, water, and other products?

Unfortunately I have tried at least half a dozen of the PFAS-free recommended flosses and they all, without exception, break or shred in my teeth. Some of them I can't even get between my teeth. I have given up and am just using Oral-B, which works well and easily, and am trying to limit my exposure to PFAS in other areas.

Can you please review TePe interdental picks. My periodontist highly recommends this product.
Also, I have reverse osmosis water filter system from Apec. Their systems are not that expensive and easy to maintain. About $339 from Amazon for the High PH model. I have no financial interest in this company.

Our household just purchased an iSpring RCC7AK under sink unit with a remineralization feature and I really hope this does the trick. Looking at our State's DOH site and PFAS map it looks like our municipal well has detected forever chemicals but not high enough for our State Action plan to do anything. I hope the iSPring unit will work for us. We've been using a Berkey for a long time and I'm not sure our last filter purchase was from a legit market. I don't trust my sweet Berkey anymore. Fingers crossed for the iSpring.

How about Reach POP floss. It states on the package that it's PFAS free.

Issues with RO filtration include water consumption, for every gallon of potable water there's more waste water.

Depressing

Any information about Stimudents (dental picks?) I've been using them for years.

I have been using Cocofloss now for several years. It is an unwaxed, woven floss. It is also vegan, completely recyclable (including packaging), and comes in several flavors. Being unwaxed, it was difficult to use at first but became easier and easier over time.

I have a great reverse osmosis system and have the remineralization cartridge, though I often wonder if it really makes a difference. I take above average amounts of magnesium, calcium, etc. BUT, I do not use fluoride in any of my dental products (for over 25 years).

I have used a floss for a couple of years now that I don't see mentioned here. I am wondering if you have any information about it: Radius Organic Vanilla Mint. I have very tight teeth and all CVS products get stuck between my teeth and leave remnants that are hard to remove. This Radius doesn't shred between my teeth. It is manufactured in Colombia.

I have used the Reach flosser for years that has a handle with replaceable floss heads. I like it because I am able to get all of my teeth with ease. Furthermore, I can actually scrub my teeth with an up and down motion. My dentist always says "keep doing what you are doing"

Are Gum Brand Picks acceptable? They are long and slightly curved.

I see that Oral-B flosses fail the PFAS test. I have an Oral-B toothbrush. Do I need to be concerned ???

Decades ago a dentist recommended dental tape rather than floss -- just generally better. I tried some and found eventually settled on REACH unflavored waxed tape. I *never* gets stuck between my teeth and has saved me from many tiny seeds and leftover dentist's fragile floss. When i checked the REACH website, it indicated that no PFAS are used.

I tried the CVS Health Mint Waxed Dental Floss that you declare as your "top choice." It's terrible, one of the worst flosses I've ever used. It's very inexpensive, but it consistently shreds and breaks, making using it quite unpleasant. I don't know how you could pick this as a top choice.

Oral-B said "Oral-B Glide Advanced Multi-Protection Floss" contains CPC (cetylpyridinium chloride) an antimicrobial agent. Is this a harmful ingredient?

the absolute best floss I've ever used is Dr. Tung's Smart Floss! gets my teeth so much cleaner than any commercial one!

As a state-licensed drinking water treatment operator, I really appreciate your discussion about water filters. It’s quite the research project to find one that suits individual needs and circumstances sustainably! Your article makes that really clear. Thank you for the detail it deserves! And everything else I get to read here, for that matter!

As a person who has bad reactions to all sorts of things that don't bother anybody else, could I request that you choose a Top Pick for a dental floss that is wax-free and mint-free?

Thanks for doing the research on dental floss and on so many other products -- I really appreciate it!

Another comment: I don't know how many manufacturing facilities there are that make dental floss but I would bet that they make several different brands at the same location. Same product but labeled differently. And that a brand might outsource its future production to a different facility, with a different wax composition, if it offers a lower price.

Perhaps I'm missing it, but your top pick is NOT listed as being tested for PFAS, PTFE, or fluorine. Nor was the manufacturer queried. You only say it is unlikely to contain it as it's made from nylon which many of the others are also.

Since reading about the plastics in floss, which so many of us have dutifully used for years, I have switched to silk dental floss, with three ingredients: silk, beeswax and mint flavor. breaks less than standard glide type flosses too.

What about PFAS in CocoFloss?

Very interesting discussion! PTFE is routinely used in making permanent hernia meshes. Should these therefore be avoided or even removed if already placed? My understanding is that this stable substance is broken down by radiation.

Thank you for this informative review! Can you consider reviewing the SimPure water filter? It is a Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Filter that claims to remove heavy metals, PFOS/PFOAS, pesticides, carcinogens, and drug residues. Thank you for considering!

After reading this article, I found that a company called Cyclopure has a PureFast filter that fits Brita water filters and which claims to be specifically for PFAS removal. I ordered it, and it filters quite a bit more slowly than a standard Brita filter, but it would be interesting to have you guys test it.

It's difficult for readers to make decisions about PFAS because your article does not state the toxic level of PFAS in humans,, nor the effect on blood levels of using floss impregnated with these chemicals.

I use CVS Original dental floss but the tape instead of the floss. I don't see it listed as better not to use. Pls evaluate

You just added: Oral-B Glide Advanced Multi-Protection Floss, saying that it states that they don’t contain neither of the « Ps » .
But nowhere, on the package Costco sell, does it say anything about avoiding PFAS (or avoiding ANYTHING for that matter).

Lets say my dental floss contains PFAS's, how do the PFAS's leach/rub off the floss into my mouth? How much of the PFAS's leach/rub off into my mouth? Do you know for a fact that any PFAF's actually leach/rub off at all?

A recent report in the journal Obesity "Weight loss relapse associated with exposure to perfluoroalkylate substances" on 17 April 2023 suggests that PFAS contributes to weight gain

Confused? I use a product called Plackers. On their website, they make this statement. See below. What does that mean for this product? Safe to use?

Do Plackers Gentleslide or Extra Comfort flossers contain PFOA/PFOS in the PTFE floss fiber?
No PFOA/PFOS was detected in third-party testing performed on Plackers PTFE floss fibers. All Plackers flossers are subject to rigorous safety and quality assurance testing and comply with strict industry and government regulations. We stand behind the safety of our products.

What is the difference between the floss "REACH MINT WAXED" and the "REACH MINT WAXED FLOSS" ?? One has PTFE, the other may not. Very confused as to which one to buy.

Use the Oral-B Glide multi-protection floss - clean mint from Costco, no listing here for PFAS so we’re assuming it’s ok?

Would it be possible to clarify whether the fluorine levels found in dr. Tung's floss were comparable to the PTFE-based flosses tested? They claim their floss is 100% nylon.

What is the best way to dispose of a product that contains PFAS?

I have mostly given up dental floss and gone to water flossing.

Thanks for these PFAS lists. Two of interest to me that I don’t see are CVS Dental Tape, which I’ve used for a long time because of the tape style, and Oral-B Waxed.

I have a thing of Signature Care waxed dental floss which says compare to Reach. Though Reach apparently did not test positive, what does that mean for the Signature Care?

I use GUM expanding floss and I wonder if you have tested it.

It seems that most no-PFAS dental floss does not work with tightly-spaced teeth, or at least that's my impression from the comments. I have been using Glide because it does slip between tight teeth, but want to shift to a safer floss (that also does not shred!). Suggestions?

A friend sent me an article indicating that common canned sparkling water such as lacroix or bubbly are contaminated with pfas to significant levels. Have you investigated this?

I buy my dental floss and toothbrushes form POH's, based in Tulsa. I think they are great. If anyone has any other info on POH, let me know. At this point, i recommend their products.

You state that reverse osmosis filters are most effective at removing PFAS in water but that minerals are also removed with this filtration process. For health reasons should the water be remineralized, and if so, how would you recommend doing this?

Protocol with dental implants is to place a small amount of plumbers Teflon tape over a retaining screw before cementing a crown or placing a composite resin filling. This poses the question: Does this tape, sitting passively, leach PFAS?

I have periodontal disease. I have used COQ10 with success in reducing progression. Actually, has improved.

I stopped using Oral-B a long time ago because of this issue & the fact that it is so thin as to be almost unusable. Switched to Dr Tung's & super happy.

I use GUM Soft-Picks® Original. Super-soft rubber bristles. Latex, wood, and metal free. I don't know do they contain PFAS. https://www.sunstargum.com/products/category-interdentals/gum-soft-picks-original.html

I use Gum Chucks Flosser with the handles . They work well for me with arthritic fingers. Please comment or review. Thank you!

PFAS in Dentek Triple Clean Floss Picks?

I am stuck with Glide because of tight contacts. One thing that can be changed however, is to floss before brushing rather than after. Then rinse thoroughly!

Is there any reason to think UHMWPE would be problematic?

Plackers says:

The Right Angle flosser is made with UHMWPE (Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight-Polyethylene). The only flosser made with PTFE (Teflon as many like to call it) is the Gentle Slide.

If PFAS is an integral component of the dental floss fiber and cannot be washed off, how does enough of it even get into our body, to cause a problem?

How effective is brushing teeth with toothpaste right after flossing in reducing PFAS in the mouth?

Can PFAS be washed off of dental floss? I have a large supply of the Crest/Oral B type, I have tight teeth and need this slippery type. You may think I’m weird, but I already kind of do this; I rinse off and re-use a strand 4 or 5 times before discarding, mainly because I don’t like the added flavoring and this gets rid of it. ;-)

Plackers says,

No PFAS/PFOS was detected in third party testing performed on the Plackers PTFE floss fiber

Maybe someone should clue them in...

Is Crest Glide floss manufactured exactly the same, from a PFAS standpoint, as Oral-B Glide floss, and with the same health impacts?

My teeth are very closely spaced, and I find that Glide is the only floss to not get stuck. My solution is to floss only part way down and not reach the gum. Then I use the GUM brushes to do the area close to the gum. I'd welcome any professional's comments on the efficacy of this approach. Thank you.

POH dental floss is excellent, pure nylon, and free of fluorine and PFAs. I've used POH for the last 20 years, but have not financial interest in Personal Oral Hygiene.

Do you have a recommendation for floss picks that do not have PFAs or a safer option for floss picks? Thanks

I use dental tape (Walgreen's). Did you by chance evaluate this product?

I am curious about Gum brand products, both their floss and Proxabrush products, which apparently were not included in the study. For the Proxabush, I use the handle with replaceable "Go-Betweens" refills, but I think even they are made from some plastic material.

What about woven floss? For example, Listerine Gentle Gum Care Mint floss. I find woven floss much easier to handle, both in my hands and in my teeth.

After the Oral-B Glide study came out, I tried a few natural options that, frankly, were awful to use. But "Hello" brand activated charcoal floss has been a great alternative for the tight spaces between my teeth and specifically claims "PFAS-free" on the product page. The activated charcoal part is probably a gimmick but that's fine with me.

Please look at Kroger Waxed Dental Floss also.

Walgreens is one of the largest pharmacy but I did not see anything on their Hi-Tech Dental Floss. I also can not find anything online about it. Is there any information on this product?

This is a bogus study performed by researchers who do not understand the "real" world, where the vast majority of patients have much improved dental health due to Glide. I have practiced dentistry for 45 years and I am a Clinical Associate Professor at the UTHealth School of Dentistry. I have researched this issue extensively and found it to be below the level of having practical relevance.

I try to use floss three days per week, but use a ShowerBreeze dental water jet irrigator seven days per week--all done while showering. Both these practices can keep the area under my bridge clean. I don't think a rubber tip or toothpick would work for that.

Curious about Listerine floss that is used with the floss stick.

Do you have any information about POH floss? I have used this exclusively for many years.

Would it be safer to just use unwaxed floss, or is that not enough?

Dr. Mercola's dental floss also has essential oils in it. It also comes in 100 instead of 55 yard lengths

I practiced Periodontics for more than 25 years. I never recommended or required a patient to use dental floss, Instead I taught the use of a Butler Interdental Stimulator (Rubber Tip) and plastic triangular cross-section tooth picks.Neither of these goes below the gum. This idea used to drive some dental hygienists practically crazy, a dental "sacrilege". I considered flossing to be difficult, and crude, but apparently it may also be toxic, DENTAL FLOSS?, you can get along without it, and very well, perhaps better.

POH is excellent floss and comes in extra-fine so you don't need Teflon to get it between your teeth.