Colgate Total Dental Floss 25m
Lower concern. Standard dental floss lacks typical PFAS applications.
Colgate Total floss is nylon monofilament with undisclosed coating. No public PFAS claims or third-party testing available. Dental floss is lower risk than water-repellent coating textiles or nonstick cookware.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
nylon monofilament with proprietary coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Coating degradation and fraying
Proprietary coating can wear or separate with age or improper storage, potentially creating splinters; no health hazard but reduced performance and minor mouth irritation risk if sharp fragments contact soft tissue.
Fragrance allergens (if flavored)
Some Colgate Total floss variants include mint or flavor additives; fragrance compounds can trigger allergic contact reactions in sensitive individuals, though incidence is rare in brief oral contact.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Colgate has not disclosed the coating chemistry. Standard nylon floss coatings do not typically contain formaldehyde releasers, but microbe-resistant additives are sometimes used; no specific concerns documented for this product line.
Source: ATSDR ↗Microplastics
Intact nylon monofilament does not shed microplastics during normal use; only frayed or damaged floss poses theoretical ingestion of micro-fragments, which are inert and not absorbed.
Source: EPA ↗Heavy metals
Colgate Total floss is typically transparent or lightly tinted; no published analysis has detected lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals in dental floss products from major manufacturers.
Source: FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Colgate Total Dental Floss is a nylon monofilament strand with a proprietary coating designed to improve glide and durability. Nylon monofilament is a synthetic polymer that does not leach into oral tissues during normal use because it is not ingested and remains structurally stable in the mouth. The coating is formulated to reduce friction and enhance plaque removal; Colgate has not disclosed the specific composition, but standard floss coatings typically use waxes, silicones, or resins that are food-contact safe and not absorbed through gum tissue.
The brand's record and disclosure
Colgate-Palmolive maintains a public safety and quality assurance program and publishes safety data sheets for professional products. For consumer dental floss, the company does not publicly disclose detailed ingredient breakdowns or independent third-party certifications specific to this line. No recalls, contamination incidents, or regulatory actions targeting Colgate Total Dental Floss have been established in public records. The brand's PFAS stance remains undisclosed, but standard dental floss applications do not require PFAS chemistry.
How it compares in its category
Dental floss is among the lowest-risk oral care products because it contacts tissues briefly and is not swallowed in meaningful amounts. Colgate Total competes with unwaxed nylon, Teflon-type coating (Teflon) floss, and plant-based alternatives. Nylon monofilament with proprietary coating is a mainstream material class with a long safety history; it poses no known advantage or disadvantage relative to other major brands in terms of chemical hazard profile. No published comparative testing has identified Colgate Total as higher or lower risk than competitors.
If you buy it
Use as directed: gentle sawing motion between teeth, do not force into tight contacts, and discard after single use. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat or humidity to prevent coating degradation. Replace the container if the floss becomes frayed, loses glide, or shows visible wear; typical shelf life is 2-3 years unopened. If gums bleed or show irritation, discontinue and consult a dentist; irritation is usually mechanical rather than chemical.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Colgate has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Dental Floss
Floss & Ploss
Love of Earth Co. Floss + Glass Case
Dental floss (plant-based or silk) and glass case
Fragrance allergens or undisclosed additives
Limited concern
Microbial growth if floss is stored damp
Limited concern
Lower concern. Floss and glass are inherently PFAS-free materials.
⚠Risky category by default
Waterpik
Cordless 1000 Water Flosser
Plastic housing, ABS/nylon components, stainless steel tip, silicone seals
Silicone seal breakdown and leaching
Limited concern
Bacterial biofilm in water reservoir
Limited concern
Electronic component exposure if housing cracks
Limited concern
Lower-concern water flosser; no known PFAS-prone materials.
⚠Risky category by default
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.