Crest · Dental Floss
Crest Glide Dental Floss Original Value Pack - 2 ct
Lower PFAS concern; standard dental floss with no known Teflon-family coating.
Crest Glide Original is conventional nylon dental floss with no public disclosures of PFAS-based coatings or water repellency treatments. Nylon filament itself is not inherently a PFAS source, though some floss brands do use Teflon-family coating coatings for glide, Crest's formulation is not documented as doing so.
Shop Crest on Amazon →Material
Nylon filament (dental floss)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Crest Glide Original is a nylon-filament dental floss, the most common dental floss material in consumer products. Nylon is a synthetic polymer chosen for its strength, flexibility, and ability to slide between teeth without shredding. No wax coating, resin additives, or chemical treatments have been documented for this specific product formulation that would introduce leaching or toxicological concern during normal oral use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Crest (owned by Procter and Gamble) has not made public statements specific to PFAS content in dental floss products, consistent with industry-wide silence on the topic. The brand maintains general safety certifications and regulatory compliance with FDA dental device guidelines. No recalls or safety controversies regarding this floss product are on public record.
How it compares in its category
Standard nylon floss like Crest Glide sits in the middle of the dental floss market: more durable and consistent than unwaxed alternatives, less likely to have additive concerns than premium waxed or flavored products. Competitors using similar nylon formulations (Oral-B Glide, store-brand nylon floss) carry similar risk profiles. Floss made from natural fibers like silk or plant-based materials would avoid synthetic polymer questions entirely but are less common in value packs.
If you buy it
Use floss daily as directed; nylon is inert in the mouth and poses no ingestion risk from small fibers. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat or sunlight to prevent degradation, though this is a non-issue for typical bathroom storage. Replace the spool when floss becomes frayed or difficult to use (typically after several months of regular use). No special maintenance or safety precautions are needed beyond standard dental hygiene.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Nylon polymer degradation or off-gassing
Nylon dental floss does not off-gas volatile compounds under normal oral or storage conditions. No documented cases of degradation-related toxicity from nylon floss in regular use.
Dye or colorant safety (if colored)
Crest Glide Original is typically white or clear nylon. If dyes are present, they are approved food-contact additives, but no specific colorant list has been published by the manufacturer; risk is minimal in oral-use application.
Ingestion or aspiration of floss fibers
Dental floss is designed to be safe if small amounts are swallowed during use. Nylon is not absorbed or metabolized and passes through the GI tract. Whole floss strands pose a theoretical choking risk only if swallowed intentionally or by very young children; this is a use error, not a product defect.
Coating or additive leaching into saliva
No wax, resin, or Teflon-family coating coatings documented for this product. Nylon fibers themselves are chemically stable and do not leach monomers or additives into aqueous oral environment under normal use.
Bacterial or mold growth on stored floss
Dental floss stored in humid bathrooms may accumulate moisture over extended time, creating conditions for surface mold or bacteria. This is a storage issue, not a manufacturing hazard, and is prevented by keeping the spool in a sealed or dry container.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Dental Floss
Cocofloss
Refill Trio
Coconut fiber, based floss with plant-based coating
Lower-concern dental product; natural materials and transparent PFAS stance, but no independent verification.
⚠Risky category by default
Dental Lace
Refillable Silk Dental Floss
Silk floss with compostable refillable packaging
Lower concern; silk floss with credible PFAS-free positioning and third-party certification.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Dental Lace
Plant Based/Vegan Floss Refillable Glass Container PFAS-Free (2 Spools/4-
Plant-based vegan floss (likely plant cellulose or silk fibers)
Lower-concern product with explicit PFAS-free claim; no third-party verification limits certainty.
⚠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.