Listerine Reach Ultraclean Access Flosser
Low PFAS risk. Standard floss product with no known concerning coatings.
Dental floss and flosser tool contain no Teflon-type coating or known Teflon-family coating. Brand makes no PFAS claims. No public lab testing or recalls identified.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Plastic handle, nylon floss, metal pick
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.
Microplastic shedding
Repeated bending or damage to the plastic handle during use could theoretically generate microplastic fragments, though the risk is low for a single-use disposable. Proper disposal in trash rather than drains mitigates environmental concern.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Nylon floss structural integrity
Nylon monofilament is chemically stable and does not hydrolyze or leach monomers under normal oral use. No reported incidents of nylon floss causing oral irritation or chemical exposure.
Plastic handle leaching (low-temp contact)
Polystyrene or polypropylene handles have minimal contact with saliva and are used for under 2 minutes per application. At mouth temperature (37C), leaching of unreacted monomers or additives is negligible in this brief-contact scenario.
Metal pick corrosion or nickel release
Stainless steel picks do not corrode in the oral environment and do not release nickel under normal use. No reported cases of flosser pick corrosion or metal sensitivity linked to this product type.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Consumer flossers are not typically treated with formaldehyde-releasing resins or industrial azo dyes. The plastic is a commodity polymer without known antimicrobial or colorfast coatings that would require these chemicals.
Source: ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This product combines a plastic handle (likely polystyrene or polypropylene), nylon monofilament floss, and a metal pick. Nylon floss is inert in the mouth and does not leach under normal use conditions. The plastic handle has minimal oral contact and poses no leaching risk during the brief 1-2 minute use cycle. Metal picks are typically stainless steel and chemically stable.
The brand's record and disclosure
Listerine (owned by Johnson & Johnson) has not published detailed material disclosures or safety certifications specific to this flosser variant. The parent company has faced legacy litigation on talc contamination in personal care products, but that does not apply to oral floss. No recalls of this specific product are on record. Brand transparency on plastics and manufacturing chemistry remains limited.
How it compares in its category
Disposable plastic flossers occupy a middle ground in floss safety. They avoid concerns tied to wooden picks or charcoal-coated variants but generate more plastic waste than string floss alone. Compared to water flossers (which have reservoir concerns and electronic components), this product is simpler and carries lower contamination risk. Most dentists consider nylon floss chemically safe regardless of brand.
If you buy it
Replace the flosser after each use as intended; do not reuse or soak in hot water or mouthwash for extended periods, as this can slightly stress the plastic and theoretically increase minor leaching. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat or UV light to prevent polymer degradation. The product requires no cleaning or maintenance beyond disposal. No special precautions are needed for routine daily use.
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
- Listerine 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.