Tom's of Maine · Dental Floss
Tom's Of Maine Anti Plaque Flat Spearmint Floss (6x32 YD)
Lower-concern choice; dental floss typically avoids PFAS, but Tom's of Maine provides no public disclosure.
Tom's of Maine floss is made from nylon filament, a standard non-Teflon-family coating material not inherently linked to PFAS. The brand does not publicly disclose PFAS testing or claim PFAS-free status.
Shop Tom's of Maine on Amazon →Material
Nylon filament (waxed/unwaxed)
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
Tom's of Maine Anti Plaque Flat Spearmint Floss is a nylon filament product coated with wax (typically beeswax or synthetic wax blend) and spearmint flavoring. Nylon is a stable, non-porous synthetic polymer that does not leach into saliva or tissues during normal use. The wax coating reduces friction and aids in cleaning between teeth but is designed to be spit out immediately after use, limiting oral contact time and any potential for accumulation.
The brand's record and disclosure
Tom's of Maine is known for strong ingredient transparency and holds Natural Products Association certification and Leaping Bunny cruelty-free status. The company publishes ingredient lists plainly and has not faced significant safety recalls for dental products. However, like most floss manufacturers, Tom's provides no explicit public disclosure on PFAS presence or absence in wax or other formulation components, leaving a modest transparency gap on this specific concern.
How it compares in its category
Nylon floss is the industry standard and is generally safer than older monofilament products. Tom's of Maine positions itself in the natural/transparency-focused segment, contrasting with mass-market brands that offer less ingredient disclosure. Compared to silk or charcoal floss variants, nylon presents no elevated hazards and avoids exotic materials that lack long-term safety data. The flat-ribbon design is ergonomic and presents no additional chemical risk over round nylon floss.
If you buy it
Store floss in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight to prevent wax degradation or rancidity over time. Replace the spool if wax becomes sticky or discolored, which may indicate degradation. Use daily as directed, ensuring you spit out all floss and wax residue immediately and rinse thoroughly. No special precautions are needed; this is a low-risk oral hygiene product intended for brief contact with mouth tissues.
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.”
Wax composition leachables
Nylon floss wax (typically beeswax, candelilla, or synthetic polyethylene) is not ingested in meaningful quantities and presents no established safety concern during standard use. No recalls or adverse events are on record for Tom's of Maine floss related to wax components.
Flavoring allergens (spearmint)
Spearmint flavoring is generally recognized as safe by the FDA, but individuals with mint sensitivity or contact dermatitis in the oral mucosa may experience mild irritation. This is a rare individual reaction, not a product-wide safety issue.
Nylon microfiber shedding
Well-made nylon floss does not shed fibers during normal use; the filament is designed to remain intact. No evidence exists of nylon microplastic release from Tom's of Maine floss under intended conditions.
Heavy metals in colorants
Tom's of Maine does not use heavy metal pigments in floss; the spearmint green color is typically achieved through synthetic food-grade colorants (e.g., FD&C approved dyes) that are not bioaccumulative or toxic at trace oral exposure levels.
Microbial growth on stored floss
If floss is stored in damp environments or humid bathrooms, mold or bacterial growth on the spool or container is theoretically possible over many months, though risk is minimal with normal storage and regular replacement cycles.
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.