Tom's of Maine · Dental Floss
Tom'S Of Maine TS-0153 - Each. Ts0153 Toms Antiplaque Floss Each
Lower-concern product; dental floss is not a typical PFAS application, but brand discloses nothing.
Tom's of Maine antiplaque floss is a conventional dental floss product with no known PFAS-prone coatings (nonstick, waterproof, stain-resistant). The brand makes no PFAS claims either way.
Shop Tom's of Maine on Amazon →Material
Dental floss, likely waxed nylon or polyester
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 antiplaque floss is typically nylon-based waxed floss, often marketed with natural wax coatings (beeswax or plant-derived alternatives) and mild antimicrobial agents rather than traditional synthetic additives. Nylon fibers themselves are chemically inert in the mouth; the concern centers on wax composition and any antimicrobial residue that contacts gum tissue during use. Unlike cookware or food storage, floss is a non-swallowed, short-contact product, which substantially reduces systemic exposure risk to any leachable components.
The brand's record and disclosure
Tom's of Maine is owned by Colgate-Palmolive and maintains a brand positioning around natural and non-synthetic ingredients, but the company does not routinely publish ingredient sourcing transparency or third-party safety certifications specific to floss products. The brand has no recorded recalls or regulatory violations for this floss line. However, Tom's does not openly disclose PFAS status or make commitments to PFAS-free formulations, consistent with broader silence in the dental floss category.
How it compares in its category
Standard dental floss (nylon, Teflon-type coating-based, or polyester) is one of the lowest-concern product categories for chemical hazards due to minimal ingestion and brief oral contact. Tom's natural positioning differentiates it from commodity nylon floss by reducing synthetic wax and additives, though the actual safety advantage versus conventional floss is marginal. Most major brands (Oral-B, Glide, Reach) share similar nylon or Teflon-type coating cores with synthetic coatings; Tom's is competitively safer by ingredient profile but not uniquely so.
If you buy it
Use floss as directed (daily, gentle pressure on gums) and store in a cool, dry place to prevent mold or bacterial growth in the container. Do not swallow floss or allow it to remain lodged between teeth; remove any fragments immediately. Replace the roll every 6-12 months or when fibers begin fraying. No heat exposure or special maintenance is required; this is a single-use consumable with minimal longevity concerns.
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 coating composition (lead/heavy metals)
Tom's of Maine does not disclose wax source (beeswax, plant-derived, or synthetic paraffin) or heavy metal testing. Beeswax and plant waxes carry minimal risk; paraffin wax is chemically inert. No recalls or reports of contamination exist for this product line.
Antimicrobial residue (oral exposure)
Antiplaque floss may contain zinc citrate, triclosan, or similar antimicrobial agents listed in marketing but not fully detailed on packaging. Oral contact is brief and non-ingested; risk to gum tissue is theoretical and not documented in regulatory records for this brand.
Nylon fiber microparticles
Nylon floss sheds microscopic fibers during use, but ingestion is minimal and undigested nylon passes harmlessly through the GI tract. No safety concern is established for standard dental floss use.
Container or packaging leachables
Tom's floss is typically packaged in plastic or cardboard spools. No testing data or recalls indicate leaching of BPA or phthalates from the container into the floss itself during normal storage.
Fragrance or flavor allergens
Some Tom's floss variants include mint or other natural flavor additives that may trigger contact dermatitis or allergic reaction in sensitive individuals on gum tissue. Hypoallergenic variants are available; discontinue if gum irritation develops.
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.