Gum Soft-pick Comfort Dental Floss Biotene Dry Mouth Oralb Fixodent
Lower concern; typical dental floss unlikely to contain PFAS.
Biotene dental floss is nylon-based with no known Teflon-family coating or water-resistant coating typical of PFAS sources. No brand PFAS disclosure available, but oral floss category poses minimal PFAS risk.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Nylon dental floss, no disclosed coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Gum Soft-pick Comfort Oralb Fixodent is made of, ingredients and materials
This product is nylon dental floss, a synthetic polymer chosen for durability and fine threading. Nylon is inert in the oral environment and does not leach into saliva under normal use conditions. The 'Biotene Dry Mouth' designation indicates this floss is formulated for individuals with reduced salivary flow, likely with added humectants or comfort coatings rather than active pharmaceutical ingredients. No disclosed coating, wax, or antimicrobial treatment raises the baseline safety profile for this material class.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Fragrance allergens or undisclosed fragrance components
Biotene products often include mint or flavor compounds for palatability. If this floss carries flavor, individual sensitivity to fragrance or essential oil components is possible but not established as a hazard in existing product safety data; test on small area if prone to oral allergies.
Humectant or coating residue irritation in sensitive mouths
Biotene's dry-mouth formulation likely includes glycerin or similar humectants; rare cases of gum sensitivity or contact irritation have been reported in general floss use, typically in individuals with pre-existing periodontal disease or aphthous ulcers. Risk is minimal and not specific to this brand.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Dental floss products in this category rarely require preservatives; nylon floss does not depend on antimicrobial coatings. No formaldehyde-releaser use is documented in Biotene floss lines.
Source, ATSDR ↗Nylon microfiber shedding or ingestion risk
Nylon floss is engineered to remain intact during normal use. Microscopic nylon fibers may be released during vigorous flossing but are not toxic if ingested and are rapidly cleared from the oral cavity; this is not a recognized hazard class for dental floss.
Heavy metals
Dental floss is not typically pigmented with heavy-metal-containing dyes due to regulatory oversight of oral products. Biotene does not disclose concerning colorant use; no recalls or warnings for metal contamination exist for this brand's floss line.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Biotene is owned by Laclede Inc. (now part of Church & Dwight Co.), a major oral care manufacturer with established cosmetic safety compliance under FDA oversight. The brand has no documented recalls or safety controversies specific to dental floss products. Biotene maintains typical industry transparency on ingredients but does not publicly certify materials beyond standard cosmetic labeling; no independent third-party certifications (e.g., EWG, Cradle to Cradle) are on record for this line.
How it compares in its category
Nylon floss is the mainstream alternative to waxed silk and synthetic blends, representing the safety baseline for the category. Biotene's dry-mouth positioning places it alongside brands like Sensodyne and Xerostom; all rely on humectants rather than chemical additives to improve comfort. This product carries no known elevated risk compared to conventional dental floss; specialty formulation does not introduce novel hazards relative to standard nylon offerings.
If you buy it
Store floss in a cool, dry location away from heat sources to prevent any minor degradation of humectant coatings. Replace the container if nylon appears discolored, brittle, or develops odor, as these indicate moisture infiltration or microbial growth. Use as directed (daily, after meals) with standard flossing technique; do not ingest material. For individuals with severe dry mouth, consult a dentist to confirm floss is appropriate for your oral care regimen, as some conditions may require additional saliva substitutes.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Biotene has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Gum Soft-pick Comfort Dental Floss Biotene Dry Mouth Oralb Fixodent?
- Plant-based waxed fiber floss
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
- nylon monofilament
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Microplastics
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Coconut fiber-based floss
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Microbial growth in natural fiber storage
More dental floss grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.