Listerine · Dental Floss
Listerine Ultraclean Access Flosser
Lower PFAS concern; simple plastic flosser with no known water-repellent or non-stick coatings.
Listerine Ultraclean Access Flosser is a basic plastic-handled dental flosser with nylon floss. The product has no published water-repellent, stain-resistant, or non-stick treatments that typically require PFAS. No lab testing or PFAS claims are publicly available, and the brand has made no disclosure either way.
Shop Listerine on Amazon →Material
Plastic handle, nylon 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
The Listerine Ultraclean Access Flosser consists of a rigid plastic handle (likely polystyrene or polyethylene terephthalate) and nylon floss filament. Nylon itself is chemically stable and not prone to leaching into the oral cavity during normal use. The plastic handle does not require non-stick or water-repellent treatments typical of cookware or high-performance textiles, reducing PFAS and fluorochemical exposure. No enamels, ceramic coatings, or flame retardant additives are expected in a simple handheld dental tool.
The brand's record and disclosure
Johnson & Johnson (Listerine's parent) maintains limited public transparency on PFAS use in dental care products and has not issued category-wide phase-out commitments comparable to some food-packaging manufacturers. However, no specific recalls or safety alerts for the Ultraclean Access Flosser line are on record. The brand does not advertise special surface coatings or antimicrobial treatments that would raise chemical-additive concerns. Standard dental device regulatory oversight applies.
How it compares in its category
Single-use plastic flossers dominate the convenience segment and carry similar material profiles to Listerine's offering. String floss (unwaxed or waxed) and traditional reusable handles remain alternatives with lower plastic consumption per use. The Ultraclean Access design prioritizes ergonomic access over material innovation, placing it squarely in the mainstream low-hazard category for dental floss products. No significant chemical-additive differentiation versus competitor brands like Oral-B or Plackers.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent plastic brittleness over extended periods. Replace the flosser when nylon filaments fray or the handle becomes cracked, typically after 50-100 uses or monthly for daily users. Do not immerse the handle in hot water or expose it to high heat, as this may cause minor warping. Dispose via household plastic recycling if your local program accepts small rigid plastics; otherwise, standard trash is appropriate.
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.”
Plastic leachates from polystyrene or polyethylene terephthalate handle
The handle does not contact food or beverages during normal use and remains in the mouth for seconds during flossing. No reports of irritation or chemical leaching specific to this product. Oral exposure to trace styrene or antimony from PET is negligible in single-use contact scenarios.
Nylon floss filament degradation or fragmentation
Nylon can fray or shed microfibers when worn or applied with excessive force, but swallowing small amounts poses no documented health risk. Users with sensitive gums should monitor for visible fraying and replace the tool promptly.
Formaldehyde or antimicrobial surface treatments on nylon
No evidence that Listerine applies formaldehyde-releasing preservatives or antimicrobial finishes to the nylon filament in this product line. Standard nylon floss does not require such additives.
Phthalates or plasticizers in handle polymer
Modern rigid plastic dental devices typically use polystyrene or PET without phthalate plasticizers. No recalls or testing data indicate phthalate contamination in Listerine flossers, though comprehensive material disclosure is not publicly available.
Bacterial colonization of reusable components (if applicable)
This is a single-use or limited-reuse design with no water-reservoir or hard-to-clean crevices. No evidence of bacterial growth concerns specific to the Ultraclean Access line.
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.