Tom's of Maine · Dental Floss
Tom's of Maine Spearmint Flat Floss
Lower PFAS concern; conventional waxed floss unlikely to require Teflon-family coating treatment, but Tom's does not disclose formulation.
Tom's of Maine Spearmint Floss is a basic waxed dental floss with no known PFAS-prone ingredients. Dental floss does not require water-resistance, nonstick, or stain-resistant coatings that typically introduce PFAS.
Shop Tom's of Maine on Amazon →Material
Dental floss, waxed (assumed natural wax or synthetic polyethylene)
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 Spearmint Flat Floss is a waxed dental floss, typically composed of nylon filaments coated with wax (the brand has historically used a blend of natural and synthetic waxes, though exact formulation is not publicly detailed). The flat profile is a design choice for comfort and surface area during interdental cleaning. Unlike toothpaste or rinses that contact oral tissues for extended periods, floss spends seconds to minutes between teeth and is not swallowed, substantially limiting absorption of any coating materials.
The brand's record and disclosure
Tom's of Maine markets itself as a natural personal care brand and does not claim organic or 100% synthetic wax-free status for this product. The company does not publicly disclose the exact wax composition (natural beeswax, plant-based wax, polyethylene, or blends) or confirm absence of Teflon-type coating or other Teflon-family coating. This lack of transparency is typical for the floss category but falls short of Tom's broader brand positioning around ingredient disclosure. No recalls or documented safety incidents specific to this floss have been recorded.
How it compares in its category
Dental floss products rarely undergo heavy scrutiny because contact is brief and ingestion is minimal. Unwaxed alternatives exist but are less comfortable for many users. Tom's Spearmint variant sits in the mid-market natural personal care tier: less disclosure than some premium brands but no known compromises vs mass-market conventional flosses. The flat design is a minor ergonomic advantage over round floss and does not introduce new hazards.
If you buy it
Store floss in a cool, dry place to avoid wax softening or degradation. Use once daily or as recommended by dental professionals; no special maintenance or replacement triggers beyond normal wear (fraying, breakage). Floss is designed for single use per strand, so discard after use. If you have concerns about wax composition or PFAS, contact Tom's of Maine customer service to request detailed ingredient sourcing; many users find this disclosure effective for companies claiming natural positioning.
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 uncertainty (natural vs. synthetic)
Tom's does not disclose whether wax is beeswax, carnauba, soy-based, or polyethylene. All are established as safe for brief oral contact, but lack of transparency conflicts with the brand's marketing stance on ingredient honesty.
Fragrance allergens (Spearmint flavoring)
Spearmint flavoring may contain limonene, menthol, or other plant-derived compounds that trigger contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Risk is very low given brief floss contact and tiny quantity, but users with mint allergies should avoid.
Microplastics if polyethylene wax is used
If the wax coating is polyethylene-based, fragments could theoretically enter the mouth or gums during flossing. No environmental or health data exists on microplastic exposure from dental floss, and risk is theoretical at this scale.
Nylon filament degradation or shedding
Nylon fibers are robust and unlikely to shed visibly during normal use. No documented cases of nylon filament fragments causing injury or foreign body reactions from commercial dental floss.
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.