Dental Floss — PFAS Coating for Glide Properties, Oral PFAS Exposure, Elevated Serum PFAS in Floss Users (Oral-B Glide, PTFE-Based Floss) — safety profile
Moderate riskCertain dental floss products, most notably Oral-B Glide, use expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE, a PFAS polymer) as the floss fiber or PFAS-based coatings to achieve the characteristic smooth glide between tight contacts.
What is this product?
Certain dental floss products, most notably Oral-B Glide, use expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE, a PFAS polymer) as the floss fiber or PFAS-based coatings to achieve the characteristic smooth glide between tight contacts. A landmark 2019 study published in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology analyzed 18 dental floss products and detected PFAS compounds (by total organic fluorine analysis) in Oral-B Glide and several store-brand equivalents. The same study found that women who used Oral-B Glide had significantly higher serum levels of PFHxS (perfluorohexanesulfonic acid) compared to non-Glide-floss users, with a mean difference of 12-25% in adjusted models. PFAS are persistent organic pollutants that do not degrade in the environment, bioaccumulate in human tissue with half-lives of 3-8 years, and are associated with immunotoxicity, thyroid disruption, elevated cholesterol, and multiple cancers. The oral mucosa is highly vascular, allowing direct systemic absorption of PFAS from floss contact with gingival tissue.
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Fiber Material Or Coating
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