Listerine · Dental Floss
LISTERINE DENTAL FLOSS-Coolmint Floss, 5 yds, 144/cs
Lower PFAS concern; standard nylon floss with no known treatment triggers.
Listerine Coolmint floss is standard nylon monofilament dental floss with no disclosed coating, waterproofing, or stain-resistant treatment, the primary PFAS risk drivers in floss products.
Shop Listerine on Amazon →Material
Nylon monofilament 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
Listerine Coolmint Floss is nylon monofilament, a synthetic polymer that has been the industry standard for dental floss for decades. Nylon monofilament does not leach BPA, phthalates, or microplastics during normal oral use because it is not heated, degraded, or ingested in meaningful amounts. The "Coolmint" coating is a flavoring and lubricant layer (typically wax and mint flavoring compounds) applied to the nylon fiber to improve slip and user experience; this coating poses no documented oral toxicity at the minimal residual exposure from flossing.
The brand's record and disclosure
Listerine (Johnson & Johnson oral care line) does not publish detailed material sourcing or PFAS treatment statements for floss products, which is typical for the dental floss category and reflects industry-wide silence rather than a red flag. Johnson & Johnson has faced litigation and settlements on other personal care products (talc, sunscreen) but no established safety recalls or hazard findings specific to Listerine floss. The brand is not certified by independent dental or sustainability organizations (e.g., no EWG verification), but this is standard for commodity floss and does not indicate a safety gap.
How it compares in its category
Nylon monofilament floss, whether branded (Listerine, Oral-B, Crest) or unbranded, is chemically identical and carries equivalent hazard profiles. Alternatives like Teflon-type coating-based floss (Teflon), tape floss, or string floss differ only in fiber geometry and surface texture, not chemical safety. Floss is a low-concern category overall because oral contact is brief, residual swallowing is minimal, and no thermal or mechanical degradation occurs during normal use.
If you buy it
Store floss in a cool, dry place away from direct heat or moisture to prevent wax coating separation, though this does not create a safety issue if it occurs. Replace the spool every 3-6 months or when fibers begin to fray, as fraying reduces effectiveness rather than poses a hazard. Dispose of used floss in trash (not drains) to avoid clogging; floss does not biodegrade and will not break down in wastewater systems. No special handling or precautions are needed beyond normal oral hygiene practices.
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.”
Synthetic polymer ingestion (nylon monofilament)
Nylon monofilament is inert and poorly absorbed if small amounts are swallowed during flossing; no toxicological data indicates harm at typical exposure levels during oral use.
Flavoring and wax coating allergens
Mint flavoring and lubricant waxes are mild sensitizers in rare individuals with oral allergies or mint sensitivities; reactions are localized irritation rather than systemic toxicity and are not specific to this brand.
Microplastic shedding
Nylon monofilament is a solid, continuous fiber that does not shed microplastics under normal flossing; fragmentation only occurs after physical damage and would be macroscopic rather than microscopic.
Heavy metal contamination in dyes or coatings
No lead, cadmium, or antimony contamination has been reported in dental floss; colorants and coatings in floss are food-grade additives subject to FDA oversight and carry minimal heavy metal risk.
Residual solvent or processing chemical residues
Nylon monofilament floss is extruded and wound with minimal chemical processing; no recalls or hazard alerts exist for solvent or unreacted monomer residues in any commercial dental floss brand.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 75% 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.