Colgate Review, Is Colgate Non-Toxic?
PFAS Authority is a scoring system, not a laboratory. We do not test products ourselves. Grades are model-based, built from published ingredients, materials, certifications, brand disclosures and third-party lab results where they exist. See the rubric.
Across 10 graded products, Colgate averages Good (71/100). On disclosure, the brand says nothing publicly about PFAS. 9 of its products grade Good or better. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab results.
Does Colgate have PFAS, by category
Worth buying from Colgate Good or better, safest first
Colgate
Total Dental Floss 25m
nylon monofilament with proprietary coating
Coating degradation and fraying
Proprietary coating can wear or separate with age or improper storage, potentially…
Fragrance allergens (if flavored)
Some Colgate Total floss variants include mint or flavor additives; fragrance compounds…
Lower concern. Standard dental floss lacks typical PFAS applications.
⚠Risky category by default
Colgate
Dental Floss
nylon or silk core with wax coating
Allergens in wax or core materials
Beeswax floss variants may trigger mild oral irritation in persons with bee product…
Lower concern. Standard floss material unlikely to contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Colgate
Total Mint Dental Floss
Nylon monofilament fiber
Mint flavoring allergens or sensitizers
Synthetic menthol and mint extract are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for oral use…
Ingestion of swallowed floss
Swallowed floss is non-toxic but poses a rare choking or GI blockage risk if swallowed in…
Lower concern. Standard nylon floss carries minimal inherent PFAS risk.
⚠Risky category by default
Colgate
Total Dental Floss, Mint Flavor, Travel Size 3 Yards, Waxed Glide Floss for Plaque Removal Between Teeth and Along Gumline, Compact Pocket
Nylon floss with wax coating
Nylon degradation and microplastic generation
Nylon fibers can shed microscopic particles during aggressive flossing. Ingestion of…
Lower concern, yet brand transparency on PFAS is missing.
⚠Risky category by default
Colgate
Total Dental Floss 25m Mint Waxed
Nylon filament core, wax coating (type unspecified)
Nylon microplastic shedding
Nylon monofilament can shed microscopic fibers during vigorous flossing, particularly if…
Bacterial or mold contamination of floss spool
If the container is stored in humid conditions or left open, the floss can absorb…
Lower concern, but unspecified wax composition limits confidence.
⚠Risky category by default
Colgate
Dental Floss 3 yd
nylon or polyester monofilament
Fragrance additives or flavoring agents
Colgate offers flavored floss variants (mint, bubblegum) that may include fragrance…
Microplastic shedding or fiber fragmentation
Nylon monofilament can theoretically shed microscopic fibers during use, particularly if…
Lower concern, but Colgate doesn't publicly disclose floss materials.
⚠Risky category by default
Colgate
Total Pro Gum Health Interdental Floss 25m
Nylon filament, waxed coating
Bacterial growth or biofilm on stored floss
Floss stored in humid bathrooms may harbor surface bacteria if left wet, though oral use…
Choking or physical entanglement hazard
Floss is a choking risk for young children under age 3 if unsupervised. This is a…
Lower concern, though no PFAS disclosure from brand.
⚠Risky category by default
Colgate
Total Tartar Control Dental Floss
nylon monofilament floss, no reported special coating
Microbial contamination during storage
Like all floss stored in humid bathrooms, risk of mold or bacterial growth exists if the…
Lower concern without red flags, but no public testing available.
⚠Risky category by default
Colgate
12 Pack: Colgate Floss Mint Waxed Dental Floss – Travel Size, 3 Yards
Nylon monofilament with wax coating
Nylon monofilament degradation and microplastic shedding
Nylon floss naturally sheds microscopic fibers during use, particularly if the strand…
Lower concern, but wax ingredients aren't disclosed.
⚠Risky category by default
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Colgate
Total Waxed Dental Floss
Nylon floss with wax coating
Heavy metals
Wax origin (petroleum-derived paraffin vs. beeswax vs. plant wax blend) is not disclosed…
PFAS
Wax coatings on dental floss may contain fluorinated additives or may be manufactured…
Lower concern, but wax coating origins unclear; no brand PFAS disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Every grade uses the same public rubric. How grades work →