The 11 Best Non-Toxic Floss & Pick Brands to Use (Free of PFAS)

Non-Toxic floss brands offer you gum health without the harsh chemical add-ons.  Teeth and gum health are associated with overall health of the body.  Simply replacing your traditional dental floss with a natural one is an easy way to reduce toxin exposure.

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In this post, find out the best non-toxic floss brands that will bring your dental health to the next level, and why non-toxic floss is so much better than conventional floss.

PFAs in Conventional Dental Floss

What are PFAs?

PFAs are poly-fluoroalkyl substances, or per-fluoroalkyl substances.  These elements are found in household products and drinking water that get into the blood stream and contaminate the body.

PFAs are synthetic chemicals that were originally patented in the use of Teflon (a nonstick cookware).  These harsh chemical compounds are resistant to oil and water.

According to this journal article, a recent study noted that higher levels of PFAs were found in the blood stream of women who flossed with oral-B Glide floss versus women who did not use the same dental floss.

 PFAs Affect the Immune System and Overall Health

PFAs negatively impact the health of the body.  Any way that you are able to avoid these harsh chemicals, is a step in the right direction and a step that must be taken.

The follow are ways that PFAs affect the immune system of the body:

• This study shows a a strong correlation between these chemicals and suppression of the immune system.
• Neurological development is possibly altered irreversibly when these chemicals enter the bloodstream.  A new study links tooth loss to cognitive decline risk.
• The metabolism is also impacted by the ingestion of PFAs.  Since the PFAs enter the water supply system, it is inevitable that the chemicals will be consumed.
• Thirdly, pre and postnatal development is also at risk due to chemical invasion.
• Changes in enzymatic production in the liver, increased cancer risk, and lower birth weights have also been founded to be risks.
• Another problem with PFAs is that they are endocrine disruptors.  The endocrine system involves the regulation and modulation of hormones.
• Thyroid problems are another health issue that has been linked to dental health.  
• Finally, there have been many findings of a periodontal pathogen known as g. gingivitis showing up in plaque build up of the artery wall according to this source.  Heart disease is another 

The Benefits of Non-Toxic Dental Floss

• Flossing removes food particles stuck between the teeth decreasing the risk of decay.
• Secondly, flossing helps rid the mouth of bacteria.  This helps fight off gum disease.
• Next, flossing decreases the worsening of bad bread due to lesser bacteria in the mouth.
• Non-toxic and organic dental flosses provide you with this without additional harmful chemicals and toxins entering into your body.
• It is important to floss on a daily basis, preferably every time you brush your teeth.  There are dental flosses that work better for different teeth, and this includes those that have braces.  

Non-toxic Floss Materials

There are several types of dental floss materials to choose from.  Below I have grouped them according to which ones are more Eco-Friendly.  All materials have different benefits and strengths.

Bamboo

Bamboo floss is a sustainable resource as well zero waste.  It is both compostable and grows quickly without the need for pesticides. 

However, some companies pair bamboo with another material to make it stronger and more durable.  If this is the case, this affects the zero waste aspect.

Below, I have listed the materials used in each non-toxic floss brand.

Silk

This material is known as Ahimsa silk or peace silk. 

Silk floss is sustainable. It decomposes quicker than traditional floss materials such as nylon.  Also, it is easily produced.   

The term peace silk assures you that the silk is a cruelty-free dental brand.  These brands use peace silk because this means the silk is sourced after the silk worms hatch, allowing them to live.  Make sure the brand uses peace silk for it to be cruelty-free.

Also, it is very important to know that silk worms are heavily processed and treated in some cases.  Silk can involve the use of chemicals when sterilized.  This is something to look for when searching for a non-toxic floss.

Natural Wax

Beeswax and calendula are used in coating natural dental flosses. The wax allows the dental floss to easily glide between the teeth.

These are safe sources of wax. Beeswax is of course sourced from bees.  Candelilla wax is sourced from small leaves of the candelilla plant.   Of course, these sources still need to be void of toxins.

Corn

Another material used to make floss is corn.  It is renewable, compostable, and vegan.

However, corn is often heavily applied with chemicals.  Therefore, I have only included trusted floss brands below that use no chemicals in their floss, even if it comes from corn.  Look for organic and Non-GMO.

Nylon

Nylon floss is a preferred dental floss material for some companies for different reasons.  Some companies feel is is a safer choice with less chance of chemical contamination, while others feel it an overall stronger and better material.

Polyester

Polyester is incorporated into the material of some floss brands.  Others use it as a sole material ingredient.  This strengthens the floss reducing breakage.

Charcoal

Whitening of teeth is a benefit of using floss that has been infused with charcoal.  However, there has been indication of possible enamel stripping with overuse.  So be cautious of the amount used in your dental routine.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a natural antibacterial ingredient which makes it ideal for teeth protection.  Many flosses and oral brands include it as an ingredient in their oral care products for this reasoning.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are sometimes included to give the floss a flavoring.  Pure essential oils should be only used, and it is preferable if they are organic for best quality insurance.

Xylitol

Xylitol is an excellent source to see included in a floss option.  It is a great fighter against bacteria and promotes a healthier mouth environment.  This journal article states the following:

Xylitol reduces the levels of mutans streptococci (MS) in plaque and saliva by disrupting their energy production processes, leading to futile energy cycle and cell death.
It reduces the adhesion of these microorganisms to the teeth surface and also reduces their acid production potential.

These are a great lollipop source made with xylitol in place of sugar.  They are know to help fight bacteria as well as positively impact oral health. We personally really enjoy the tasty treat.

Trusted Non-Toxic Dental Floss & Pick Brands

Eco Roots Organic Bamboo Dental Floss

This natural dental floss is made from bamboo which is compostable and vegan.  It also uses organic ingredients, is free of preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and does not use any plastic.

Eco Roots container is glass, and the floss is spooled inside for easy dispensing.  I think it is quite cleaver because it alleviates opening a box carefully and threading the floss through. Floss refills are available for purchase as well.

Charcoal is also added to their floss as well as vegan wax and oils.

Ingredients:   organic bamboo fiber with activated charcoal, candelilla plant vegan wax, biodegradable polymer, organic peppermint oil, organic tea tree oil.

The Humble Company Floss

This company is both vegan and cruelty-free certified.  The packaging is eco-friendly and uses a paper box container.  The spool is wrapped inside which needs to be opened to access.

I personally love this floss!  It is very thin, but slides nicely through the teeth.  

The container is a bit time consuming to open.  Make sure you follow the instructions carefully, unlike me.  I learned the impatient way.

The Humble Company uses nylon as its material of choice.  Also, the floss itself was designed by dentists.

Ingredients:  Nylon, Xylitol

ZWS Essentials

Zero waste is this company's motto.  The non-toxic dental floss comes in a glass container which is reusable.  They also sell floss refills.

They use bamboo that has a charcoal coating on the outside for an extra whitening effect. Organic peppermint essential oil also is used adding anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects.

Ingredients: Bamboo fibers, Charcoal coating, candelilla plant wax, organic peppermint essential oil

Terra & Co.  Dental Floss

Terra & Co. floss is made from bamboo, and they use coconut and mint oils to coat the floss making it another option suitable for vegans.  They also use charcoal as a coating for additional pulling of bacteria and whitening of the teeth.

The company is eco-friendly as the floss comes in a recyclable paper box as well.  No toxins or artificial ingredients are used in the processing of the floss according to the company's site.

Ingredients:   Bamboo fiber, Activated charcoal coating, Vegan candelilla wax, Organic extra virgin coconut oil, Peppermint oil, Spearmint essential oil 

RADIUS  Floss 

Radius floss offers the choices of both soft nylon and silk flosses.  They use carnauba wax to coat their dental floss.

Although this company gives many options to choose from, they only note all organic ingredients in one of their floss products, and this is the vegan option using soft nylon.  

Essential oils are used to flavor their non-toxic flosses, however, erythritol is also an added flavor.  

The flavor options offered are peppermint, clove, jasmine green tea, vanilla mint, and unscented.  The vegan option consists of xylitol for flavoring as well.

Ingredients:  Vary based on the type of floss you choose.  Ingredients in vegan option are Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, Organic Carnauba Wax, Organic Peppermint Oil, Organic Tea Tree Oil, Organic Erythritol, Soft Nylon

Dr. Tung's Smart Floss

This floss brand claims to remove up to 55% more plaque than other flosses according to clinical studies.

Polyester fibers make up the floss strands. The floss comes in a paper container which is FSC-certified, ensuring that the paper comes from an ethically managed source.

Dangerous chemicals are not used in the making of the floss, and a vegetable blend wax makes up the dental floss' coating.

Ingredients:  Polyester fibers, Cardamom essential oil, Beeswax, (candelilla, carnauba, castor oil and rice bran wax are intermixed among the beeswax, however, oil usage varies.)

Dr. Tung's Perio Sticks 

These sticks use the same principals as above in sourcing their materials.  The dental sticks are taken from the birch tree in Scandinavia using sustainable forest management practices.  

There is no dye or flavoring used in the making of the perio sticks.

These sticks are great for removing specific hard to get food particles.

Ingredients:  Flattened birch tree wood

Desert Essence

Desert Essence is impressive in regards to their certification list.  They hold the following certifications-Non-GMO project, Non- GMO NSF, USDA Organic, B Corp, Leaping Bunny, and RSPO (RSPO-Certified sustainable harvested palm oil).

There dental floss is not vegan-friendly due to the beeswax coating on the floss.  Also, nylon makes up the floss string, and essential oils are added for flavoring.

The container is made from plastic, which is not an eco-friendly choice.

Ingredients:  Nylon, Beeswax, Tea tree oil, Mint oil.

Mercola Dental Floss

This dental floss consists of nylon versus silk to avoid the chemicals often used to treat silk. It also has a vegan rice bran coating on the floss for a smoother user experience.

A blend of essential oils add a minty flavor to the dental floss.  The company also states that its is vegan, using no animal ingredients.  However, it does not state specifically about animal testing.

An environment-friendly packaging is also used which is both biodegradable and recyclable. However, the exact package material is not stated.

Ingredients:  Nylon, Rice bran vegetable oil, Essential oils

Tree Bird

This dental floss brand is eco-friendly and compostable.  They even use soy-based ink on their paper packaging.

Candelilla wax coats the silk-based dental floss and natural mint oils are added for flavoring. There is no artificial flavoring used.

Ingredients:  Silk, Candelilla wax, natural mint oils

Koko Eko 

This brand is made from peace silk making it a cruelty-free floss.  Candelilla wax is used for the coating and the peppermint flavoring comes from essential oil.

This floss option is great due to its simplicity of ingredients.  A glass container is also used, and refillable floss options are available ensuring zero-waste.

Ingredients:  Peace silk, Candelilla wax, peppermint oil

Floss Brands I Don't Recommend

After contacting the company or not being able to verify additional information, there are a couple popular natural floss brands that I do not recommend.  

Saint Dental Floss

Saint dental floss is a company that states that they are strictly an organic and non-GMO making it seem like a prime choice.

However, after contacting the company to see if pesticides are used on the corn used in the floss making process, they said the following:

Unfortunately, we can't guarantee no pesticides were used in the treating of the corn during manufacturing.

This does mean that there are pesticides used, however, I choose brands to the best of my ability that have the cleanest ingredients.  Since this cannot be verified, I personally choose to not use the brand and want to offer the information to you for you to decide for yourself.

Due to this being the case, I am not able to recommend using this company as a best option.

Ingredients:  Corn, Coconut oil, Xylitol, Vegan wax 

Cocofloss

This company offers dental floss options, however, I only recommend buying the mint floss. I do NOT recommend the other flavored dental flosses.  

It does not use materials with toxins, PFAs or parabens, however, their flavored flosses use both natural and synthetic fragrance sources.

Cocofloss holds the leaping bunny certification, meaning they use cruelty-free practices.  Another important aspect of this company is that a portion of Cocofloss' proceeds go to The Wildlife Conservation network.

Coconut oil is used in the production of their floss giving it an anti-bacterial edge as well.

However, due to the use of synthetic flavoring being used in the other flavored flossed, I personally would not purchase the flavored brands.  

They state that the flavoring specifically comes from a shop in Italy, but it is unclear on the exact process for the flavor creation.  They did not reply to any of my further questioning.

I am also skeptical because this information was a bit hard to find on their website, only being highlighted after scanning over specific material.

Since the details are not clear on the process for the synthetic fragrances, they are off the best options list.

Ingredients:  Polyester fiber, Coconut oil, Mint natural flavors, Microcrystalline wax

In this post you found out the best non-toxic floss brands that will bring your dental health to the next level, and why non-toxic floss is so much better than the conventional flosses.