Colgate Total Tartar Control Dental Floss
Lower concern without red flags, but no public testing available.
Conventional nylon monofilament with no special coating reported. Colgate has faced PFAS scrutiny elsewhere, so direct testing of this floss would help.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
nylon monofilament floss, no reported special coating
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Colgate Total Tartar Control Dental Floss is made of, ingredients and materials
Colgate Total Tartar Control floss is a nylon monofilament floss, the industry standard material for dental floss. Nylon is a synthetic polymer that does not leach chemicals into the mouth during normal use because it is inert and does not break down at body temperature or saliva pH. The floss is designed to slide between teeth and is not ingested, further minimizing any exposure risk from the material itself.
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.
Microbial contamination during storage
Like all floss stored in humid bathrooms, risk of mold or bacterial growth exists if the container remains wet or is contaminated by water; this is a storage issue, not a product hazard, and is easily prevented.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Nylon monofilament degradation or ingestion
Nylon floss is designed to remain intact during use and is not swallowed in meaningful amounts; no cases of GI harm from dental floss fragments are documented in standard medical literature.
Dyes or colorants in floss material
Colgate Total Tartar Control floss is typically white or light-colored nylon with no reported hazardous dyes; any colorants used in dental floss are not applied at concentrations or formulations known to pose toxicity.
Additives or coatings leaching into mouth
Nylon monofilament floss does not require chemical coatings or active ingredients to function; any wax or lubricant coating is minimal and not documented to leach under normal oral use.
Allergic reactions to nylon or additives
Nylon is not a known allergen, and no established cases of contact sensitivity to Colgate floss exist in the medical record; risk is negligible for the general population.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Colgate is a major multinational oral care manufacturer with longstanding product safety oversight under FDA regulation. The company has no documented recalls or safety controversies specific to this floss product. Colgate does not publicly disclose detailed material testing or third-party certifications for its floss lines, which is typical in the category; however, dental floss as a category faces minimal regulatory scrutiny beyond basic manufacturing standards.
How it compares in its category
This product sits squarely in the mainstream conventional floss segment. Most mass-market nylon flosses (Colgate, Oral-B, generic brands) share identical material composition and pose equivalent safety profiles. Specialty alternatives such as silk floss or biodegradable options exist but offer no safety advantage for typical use; the choice is mainly environmental or textural preference.
If you buy it
Store floss at room temperature in a dry container to prevent mold or moisture buildup. Replace the spool when the floss becomes frayed or harder to dispense. Use daily as directed; floss does not degrade or wear out during normal use and poses no risk from extended shelf life. No special handling or maintenance is required beyond basic storage.
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 Tartar Control Dental Floss?
- 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.