Listerine Ultraclean Mint Shred-Resistant Dental Floss Refill
Lower concern. Nylon floss unlikely to contain PFAS, but brand silent.
Dental floss is typically nylon filament without surface treatments. Listerine makes no PFAS claims or disclosures, which is standard for this category. No public lab data available.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
nylon filament
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Listerine Ultraclean Mint Floss Refill is made of, ingredients and materials
Listerine Ultraclean is a nylon monofilament dental floss, a synthetic polymer chosen for durability and resistance to shredding during interdental cleaning. Nylon does not leach toxic monomers (such as BPA or phthalates) under the dry, room-temperature conditions of floss storage and use in the oral cavity. The filament is inert and non-absorbent, minimizing contact-based chemical transfer to oral tissues or saliva.
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.
Fragrance allergens or irritants
The product name includes 'Mint' flavor, suggesting a scent or taste additive. Fragrance composition is not disclosed; individual allergic sensitization to mint or related compounds is rare but possible in susceptible users. Oral contact with flavored floss is intermittent and localized.
Bacterial or fungal growth on stored filament
If stored in a humid bathroom environment, nylon filament can retain surface moisture and support mold or bacterial colonization. This is a storage-condition risk, not an inherent product defect, and is mitigated by dry storage.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Nylon monofilament does not require formaldehyde-releasing resins or cross-linkers for its structure. No public record or industry standard indicates formaldehyde exposure from this floss product.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Listerine Ultraclean floss is typically white or light-colored; if dyes are used, they are minimal and not on record as containing lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals. Oral mucosa contact is brief and indirect (interdental only).
Source, FDA ↗Mechanical injury from splinters or fraying
Shred-resistant nylon is engineered to resist filament breakage and snagging. No recalls or reported incidents of splinter injury from this product are on record; design intent is to prevent this hazard.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Listerine (Johnson & Johnson subsidiary) has not published formal safety disclosures or third-party certifications specific to floss materials. No recalls or public safety incidents involving this floss product are on record. The brand maintains a general oral care safety profile consistent with mainstream dental product standards, though ingredient transparency for ancillary materials (e.g., any coating or flavoring, if present) is not detailed in public specifications.
How it compares in its category
Nylon floss is the industry standard and carries no known material hazards distinct from other nylon filament flosses. Alternatives include polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon-type coating, Teflon-based) floss, which poses minimal risk under normal use but has historical associations with PFAS; silk floss, which may harbor bacterial growth if stored damp; and waxed variants that may contain synthetic waxes without further disclosure. Listerine's shred-resistant claim is a processing or formulation advantage but does not alter underlying safety profile.
If you buy it
Store the refill in a dry location to prevent mold growth on the filament and spool. Use according to dental guidance (daily, gentle interdental motion); aggressive flossing may cause gum trauma but is a user-behavior risk, not a product defect. Replace the refill when the filament becomes frayed, dull, or depleted; typical lifespan is weeks to months depending on use frequency. No special handling, heat exposure, or maintenance is required.
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
- Listerine has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Listerine Ultraclean Mint Shred-Resistant Dental Floss Refill?
- 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.