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Dental Floss Brands Remove PTFE and PFAS Chemicals

Manufacturers are reformulating popular dental floss products to eliminate synthetic materials linked to health concerns.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Home Cleaning

Bold vector editorial illustration of a minimalist dental floss spool, representing the industry transition to safer manufacturing materials.
Dental floss manufacturers are reformulating products to replace PTFE and PFAS chemicals with synthetic alternatives like Pebax polymers. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Dental floss manufacturers are reformulating their products to remove PTFE and PFAS chemicals. The shift follows research linking certain floss brands to elevated levels of fluorine-based chemicals in the body.

Why it matters

PFAS exposure is associated with several health risks, including reduced immune response, reproductive problems, and certain cancers. Manufacturers are responding to these concerns through voluntary changes and compliance with new state regulations.

Researchers tested 18 different floss products for fluorine, resulting in six positive tests including three Glide varieties and two store-brand products. Minnesota has since banned the intentional addition of PFAS to 11 categories of consumer products.

The players

Procter and Gamble

A multinational consumer goods corporation that owns the Oral-B brand.

Colgate

A major global consumer products company known for its oral care line.

Silent Spring Institute

A Massachusetts-based research organization that focuses on the links between environmental chemicals and women's health.

The details

Companies are now replacing PTFE with a trademarked Pebax polymer to maintain the strength and durability previously provided by Teflon. Procter and Gamble recently reformulated its Oral-B Glide floss to feature a micro-textured fiber composed of nylon and elastic materials.

Timeline

  1. A 2019 study by the Silent Spring Institute linked Oral-B Glide use to higher PFHxS levels in the blood.

  2. Colgate began the process of eliminating PTFE from its dental floss products in 2022.

  3. Minnesota enacted a ban on the intentional addition of PFAS to various consumer goods in 2025.

  4. Procter and Gamble completed the reformulation of Oral-B Glide dental floss in 2026.

Culture Shift

The transition away from synthetic chemical additives in dental products mirrors broader consumer-led demands for transparency and safety in everyday health supplies. This shift reflects a move toward sustainable living movements that prioritize products free from persistent environmental contaminants.

Consumers may notice changes in the texture and durability of common dental floss brands as manufacturers move to new polymers like Pebax. These updates effectively reduce the direct exposure to potentially harmful synthetic materials in your daily hygiene routine.

The takeaway

When choosing dental products, look for labeling that specifies the materials used in the fiber to ensure you are avoiding PFAS. This change marks a positive step toward safer daily hygiene practices for the average consumer.

Further reading

Learn more about chemical safety in Home Cleaning for your household.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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