Sunstar GUM · Dental Floss
Sunstar Gum Butlerweave Floss
Lower PFAS concern; standard dental floss without known Teflon-family coating coatings, but brand discloses nothing.
Sunstar GUM Butlerweave Floss is conventional nylon dental floss with no public disclosure of PFAS-related treatments. Dental floss generally carries lower PFAS risk than water-repellent coating-treated apparel or nonstick cookware.
Shop Sunstar GUM on Amazon →Material
Nylon monofilament fiber, unwaxed or wax-coated
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
Butlerweave is a nylon monofilament fiber, typically either unwaxed or coated with food-grade wax (often polyethylene or candelilla). Nylon is inert in the oral environment and does not leach into saliva under normal use. The wax coating, if present, serves to glide between teeth and is not systemically absorbed; any swallowed particles are food-grade and pose no known toxicity risk.
The brand's record and disclosure
Sunstar GUM is a major Japanese oral-care manufacturer with established regulatory compliance in the US, EU, and Asia-Pacific markets. The brand makes no specific public disclosures about PFAS, heavy metals, or other non-PFAS chemical additives in floss; this is typical for the dental floss category and does not indicate a hidden problem. No product recalls, safety controversies, or reported contamination events are on record for Butlerweave floss.
How it compares in its category
Nylon monofilament floss is the dominant material in the category and is considered a safe, standard choice by dental organizations. Butlerweave competes with silk floss (biodegradable but more expensive), waxed nylon (nearly identical safety profile), and tape variants (broader surface, same material safety). No peer-reviewed evidence suggests nylon floss poses greater risk than silk or other traditional materials.
If you buy it
Use as directed; standard floss requires no special handling or temperature precautions. Replace the spool if visible fraying or dirt accumulation occurs (typically every 6-12 months with regular use). Swallowing small lengths of floss is harmless; do not reuse floss between users. Store in a dry environment to prevent wax deterioration or mold growth on the spool.
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 fiber ingestion
Nylon is biologically inert and not absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract; swallowing small floss fragments poses no documented toxicity or obstruction risk in adults or children.
Wax coating leaching
Food-grade waxes (polyethylene, candelilla, or paraffin) used in dental floss do not leach into saliva under normal oral contact. Sunstar does not publicly identify specific wax additives, but the product category is exempt from heavy scrutiny on this hazard.
Dye or colorant contamination
Butlerweave floss is typically white, mint-green, or light colored; if pigmented, the dyes are food-contact compliant in regulated markets. No reports of azo dyes, heavy metals in colorants, or allergic reactions linked to this product.
Spool or packaging materials
The plastic spool housing itself may contain BPA or other endocrine-active chemicals common in commodity plastic spools; however, contact is incidental and non-oral. If sensitive to plastics, decant floss into a glass or metal container.
Microbial growth on wet spool
If the spool is stored in humid bathrooms or left wet, mold or bacterial biofilm can accumulate on the floss or spool edge. This is a handling risk, not a manufacturing defect; allow the spool to dry fully after use and store in a cool, dry place.
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.