Colgate Total Pro Gum Health Interdental Floss 25m
Lower concern, though no PFAS disclosure from brand.
Standard nylon with wax coating isn't known to contain PFAS. No independent testing or brand claims about PFAS exist for this product.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Nylon filament, waxed coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Bacterial growth or biofilm on stored floss
Floss stored in humid bathrooms may harbor surface bacteria if left wet, though oral use of floss typically introduces it directly to the mouth without prior contamination risk. Proper drying after use mitigates any concern.
Choking or physical entanglement hazard
Floss is a choking risk for young children under age 3 if unsupervised. This is a mechanical, not chemical, hazard. Adult and supervised use eliminates this risk.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.
Wax coating composition (paraffin vs. beeswax)
Colgate does not specify wax type on packaging. Paraffin wax is food-safe and cosmetic-grade; beeswax is minimally processed. Neither is known to leach under oral use conditions. No contamination or degradation hazard is established for dental floss wax.
Nylon polymer degradation or breakdown
Nylon is stable at oral temperatures and saliva pH. Mechanical breakage (fraying) is cosmetic; no chemical breakdown or microplastic shedding risk is established or reported for standard nylon dental floss.
Additives or colorants in packaging ink migration
Floss is housed in a plastic spool dispenser. No migration of printing inks or plastic additives into the floss itself is established. The floss does not contact the dispenser interior during storage.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This floss is nylon monofilament (a synthetic polymer) coated with wax, typically paraffin or beeswax blend. Nylon is chemically stable and inert when used as intended in the mouth; the wax coating aids gliding and does not leach into saliva under normal use. Unlike some specialty floss products, there are no reported additives such as antimicrobial agents, fluoride, or charcoal in the standard Colgate Total Pro Gum Health variant that would introduce secondary chemical concerns.
The brand's record and disclosure
Colgate-Palmolive has faced scrutiny over microbeads in older formulations and heavy metal testing in toothpastes, but dental floss itself has not been a focus of regulatory action or voluntary recalls for chemical hazards. The company does not publicly disclose material composition or PFAS testing for floss products, which limits transparency but does not indicate contamination. Colgate holds no specific third-party certifications (such as NSF or EWG) for floss lines.
How it compares in its category
Nylon waxed floss is the dominant category standard and poses no greater chemical risk than competitor brands (Oral-B, Glide, store brands). Alternatives such as silk floss or polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon-type coating) branded products (e.g., Glide) carry similar or equivalent safety profiles. Unwaxed nylon and natural fiber options exist but offer no documented safety advantage; the wax itself is inert.
If you buy it
Use as directed: wind around fingers and guide between teeth with gentle sawing motions. Floss is not ingested in significant quantity; small amounts swallowed pose negligible risk. Replace the product when fraying occurs or every few months with regular use. Store in a cool, dry place; no special handling is required. This product is suitable for daily use by adults and children with parental supervision.
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.