Colgate Total Dental Floss 25m Mint Waxed
Lower concern, but unspecified wax composition limits confidence.
Conventional nylon with wax coating poses minimal known PFAS risk if the wax is paraffin or beeswax. Colgate hasn't disclosed what wax is used.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Nylon filament core, wax coating (type unspecified)
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Colgate Total Dental Floss 25m Mint Waxed is made of, ingredients and materials
Colgate Total Dental Floss uses a nylon monofilament core coated with wax. Nylon is a synthetic polymer that does not leach monomers or plasticizers under normal mouth conditions (no heat, brief contact). The wax coating, likely paraffin or beeswax blend, though Colgate does not specify, is inert in the oral cavity and approved for food contact. Neither component is known to fragment into microplastics during typical flossing use, and ingested wax poses no toxicological concern at trace exposure levels.
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.
Nylon microplastic shedding
Nylon monofilament can shed microscopic fibers during vigorous flossing, particularly if the filament frays. Ingested nylon fibers are not absorbed and pass through the GI tract without toxicological consequence based on available evidence, but complete safety data on chronic low-level ingestion is limited.
Bacterial or mold contamination of floss spool
If the container is stored in humid conditions or left open, the floss can absorb moisture and support microbial growth. This is a hygiene concern rather than a chemical hazard, but pathogen transfer to gums is theoretically possible with visibly contaminated floss.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Wax coating identity and purity
Colgate does not specify wax type (paraffin, beeswax, synthetic blend). No contaminants or additives in typical dental floss wax coatings have been documented as hazardous at oral exposure levels.
Dyes or colorants in wax
Mint flavor and any color additives in the wax are not specified by Colgate. Food-grade colorants approved for oral products do not present known risk; however, the absence of ingredient transparency prevents independent verification.
Flavor additives (mint) safety profile
Mint flavoring in floss is typically menthol or synthetic mint extracts, both GRAS (generally recognized as safe) for oral use. No allergic reactions or toxicity are documented for Colgate Total floss specifically.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Colgate-Palmolive has published sustainability commitments but does not proactively disclose detailed material sourcing or third-party safety testing for floss products. No recalls or safety violations specific to Colgate Total Dental Floss exist in public records. The brand does not publish PFAS transparency for oral care products, though dental floss is a low-priority vector for PFAS exposure compared to food contact items.
How it compares in its category
Most waxed nylon dental floss products are chemically similar; Colgate's formulation is typical for mass-market offerings. Unwaxed floss and floss picks made from similar nylon pose comparable safety profiles. Silk floss is a natural alternative but offers no measurable safety advantage and may carry higher bacterial contamination risk if sourced without antimicrobial treatment.
If you buy it
Use as directed; no special precautions needed. Floss is designed for brief daily contact and minimal ingestion. Do not heat, boil, or store in direct sunlight for extended periods (wax can soften). Replace the spool if the wax coating becomes visibly compromised or the filament frays. No maintenance or activation required beyond standard dental hygiene practice.
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
- Colgate has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Colgate Total Dental Floss 25m Mint Waxed?
- 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.