{"hq_id":"hq-p-bdy-000175","name":"Dental Floss — PFAS Coating for Glide Properties, Oral PFAS Exposure, Elevated Serum PFAS in Floss Users (Oral-B Glide, PTFE-Based Floss)","category":{"primary":"oral_care","secondary":"dental_floss","tags":["dental floss","PFAS","PTFE","Glide","perfluoroalkyl","oral exposure","serum PFAS","Teflon","Oral-B"]},"product_tier":"BDY","overall_risk_level":"moderate","description":"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.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"extreme","synthesis_confidence":0.82,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_teen","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":1.15,"vulnerability_escalated":false,"escalation_reason":null,"compounds_resolved":1,"compounds_total":1,"synthesis_date":"2026-03-27","synthesis_version":"1.0.0"},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"daily floss users (cumulative PFAS exposure), individuals with gingivitis/periodontitis (gingival bleeding increases absorption), pregnant women (PFAS crosses placenta)","overall_risk":"moderate","primary_concerns":["PFAS-coated floss users have 12-25% higher serum PFHxS levels than non-PFAS floss users","PFAS are persistent bioaccumulative pollutants with half-lives of 3-8 years in humans","Direct oral mucosal absorption through highly vascular gingival tissue","Associated health effects: immunotoxicity, thyroid disruption, elevated cholesterol, cancer risk"],"exposure_routes":"Oral mucosal (direct PFAS transfer from floss to gingival tissue). Ingestion (swallowing PFAS-containing saliva and debris during flossing)."},"exposure":{"routes":["oral_mucosal","ingestion"],"contact_types":["oral_mucosal_direct","ingestion_incidental"],"users":["adult","adolescent"],"duration":"chronic","frequency":"daily","scenarios":["Daily flossing: PFAS transfer from ePTFE floss to gingival tissue (highly vascular, direct absorption)","Gingival bleeding: inflamed/bleeding gums increase direct PFAS entry into bloodstream","Incidental ingestion: PFAS-containing debris and saliva swallowed during flossing","Cumulative exposure: daily use over years contributes to persistent PFAS body burden (half-life 3-8 years)"],"notes":"Zota et al. 2019 (JESEE): tested 18 dental flosses; Oral-B Glide and 3 store brands tested positive for organic fluorine (total fluorine analysis by PIGE). Epidemiological finding: Glide users had significantly elevated serum PFHxS (p<0.05) in NHANES-adjusted models. ePTFE (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene): same polymer family as Teflon; Oral-B Glide is specifically marketed as a 'PTFE' floss. PFAS half-lives: PFOS ~5.4 years, PFOA ~3.8 years, PFHxS ~8.5 years (Olsen et al. 2007). Oral mucosal absorption: sublingual/buccal mucosa is highly permeable (used for drug delivery); gingival sulcus tissue in direct contact with floss."},"consumer_guidance":{"usage_warning":"Continue flossing daily — the oral health benefit of flossing is well-established, but choose a PFAS-free floss product. Check packaging: avoid flosses marketed as 'Glide' or listing PTFE/ePTFE as a material. Natural wax-coated nylon or silk floss achieves adequate interproximal cleaning without PFAS exposure. If you have gingivitis with bleeding gums, the absorption concern is amplified — switch to PFAS-free floss and address the underlying inflammation with your dentist.","safer_alternatives":["Natural wax-coated nylon floss (widely available, no PFAS)","Silk dental floss (biodegradable, PFAS-free)","Water flosser/oral irrigator (Waterpik — no floss material contact)","Unwaxed nylon floss (no coating needed, adequate for normal contacts)"]},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"No Federal Regulation of PFAS in Dental Floss — Gap in TSCA and FDA Oversight","citation":"N/A — dental floss is a Class I exempt medical device (21 CFR 872.6390); no PFAS content limits","requirements":"Dental floss is an FDA Class I exempt device (no premarket review). No federal PFAS content limits for dental floss or oral care products. TSCA does not specifically regulate PFAS in consumer dental products. State-level PFAS bans (Maine LD 1503, 2021) will restrict PFAS in all consumer products by 2030 unless deemed currently unavoidable.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"N/A","penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":[],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":null,"pictograms":[],"hazard_statements":[],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":false,"disposal_guidance":"Used floss goes in household trash. ePTFE/PFAS floss is not biodegradable and persists in landfill indefinitely.","hazardous_waste":false,"expected_lifespan":"Single-use per flossing session; dispenser lasts 1-2 months"},"formulation":{"form":"varies","key_ingredients":[],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-mix-000001","compound_name":null,"role":"fiber_material_or_coating","typical_concentration":"ePTFE fiber or PFAS-based glide coating; users show 12-25% higher serum PFHxS vs non-Glide users"}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["dental floss — pfas coating for glide properties, oral pfas exposure, elevated serum pfas in floss users (oral-b glide, ptfe-based floss)"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[],"sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-26"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-26","timestamp":"2026-05-02T18:17:03.224Z"}}