elmex Zahnseide gewachst mit Aminfluorid 50 m
Lower concern. Nylon floss with wax coating is not a typical PFAS vector.
Material as recorded is waxed nylon dental floss with ammonium fluoride active. Nylon and wax are not materials linked to PFAS. The brand has no PFAS statement on record. No certifications or lab data are available.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
waxed nylon dental floss with ammonium fluoride active
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What elmex Zahnseide gewachst mit Aminfluorid is made of, ingredients and materials
This product is waxed nylon dental floss coated with ammonium fluoride (a fluoride compound used for tooth decay prevention). Nylon is a synthetic polymer chosen for floss because it is strong, flexible, and resistant to breaking between teeth. The wax coating (typically paraffin or beeswax) reduces friction and makes the floss easier to use. Ammonium fluoride is a well-established active ingredient in oral care with a long safety history in dentifrices and rinses.
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.
Fluoride systemic exposure
Ammonium fluoride in floss is topical and minimal absorption occurs in normal use. Concern is only relevant if large amounts are swallowed repeatedly, which is not the intended use pattern for dental floss.
Nylon microplastic shedding
Nylon fibers can shed microscopic particles during use, particularly if the floss frays. These particles are not absorbed systemically and are swallowed in negligible amounts during normal flossing, but cumulative microplastic ingestion is a theoretical concern in the broader plastic-use context.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Fragrance or flavor allergens
No fragrance or flavor additives are listed on this waxed-only formulation. Standard dental floss allergen profiles are minimal, and published adverse event rates are negligible.
Wax coating additives (unlisted)
Paraffin and beeswax are inert and food-grade approved. The product label does not disclose specific wax sourcing or additives, but no contaminants have been reported for this product class.
Heavy metals
Dental floss typically contains no colorants or pigments requiring heavy-metal stabilizers. This product is not known to undergo testing for lead or cadmium, and no such contamination has been documented in the floss category.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Elmex is owned by Colgate-Palmolive and markets itself as a fluoride-focused oral care brand with established European presence. The company does not publicly disclose detailed ingredient sourcing or third-party testing for this specific floss product. No recalls or safety controversies specific to Elmex dental floss have been established in public record. The brand's silence on PFAS policy is typical for personal care manufacturers but does not indicate a known problem with this product.
How it compares in its category
Waxed nylon floss is a conventional, mainstream category choice with billions of units used annually and no documented pattern of adverse events. Unwaxed floss and tape alternatives carry the same base material risks but offer no safety advantage. Floss products are low-exposure items used briefly in the mouth and not ingested or stored with food, which limits systemic risk compared to cookware or food-contact plastics.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from heat and direct sunlight to preserve the wax coating and fluoride stability. Use the full 50-meter spool; there is no evidence that floss degrades significantly over time if kept dry. Replace the spool once depleted or if the floss becomes shredded or loses its wax coating. Rinse your mouth with water after use as with any fluoride product, though ingestion of small amounts of floss is not a known hazard.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Elmex has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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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.