Tom's of Maine · Dental Floss
Toms Of Maine Naturally Waxed Antiplaque Flat Floss, Spearmint - 32 Yd, 2 Pack, Green
Lower PFAS concern; Tom's of Maine's natural wax formulation avoids typical PFAS-prone coatings.
Tom's of Maine Naturally Waxed Floss uses plant-based wax instead of synthetic Teflon-family coating coatings, which are the primary PFAS vector in dental floss. The brand does not disclose PFAS testing or make explicit PFAS-free claims, but the natural wax positioning aligns with avoidance of PFCs.
Shop Tom's of Maine on Amazon →Material
Natural wax coating on 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
This floss uses nylon as the core fiber with a natural wax coating (Tom's of Maine specifies plant-derived waxes like candelilla or beeswax rather than synthetic petroleum waxes). The natural wax approach is relevant because conventional floss often relies on fluorinated coatings or Teflon-type coating-based slickness agents that introduce PFAS compounds; this product's stated natural formulation sidesteps that pathway. Nylon fiber itself is stable in the oral environment and poses minimal leaching risk during brief daily use in the mouth.
The brand's record and disclosure
Tom's of Maine publishes ingredient lists prominently and holds B Corp certification, which requires third-party audits of ingredient safety and environmental impact. The company does not appear in major PFAS litigation records or EPA warning letters specific to floss products. However, the brand has not made a public PFAS-specific commitment for this product line, leaving room for uncertainty about wax supplier vetting. Overall, Tom's of Maine's transparency culture is stronger than industry average.
How it compares in its category
Most conventional floss (Oral-B, Crest) uses Teflon-type coating (Teflon) or fluorinated coatings for slip and durability, which are PFAS sources. Unwaxed nylon floss removes coating risk entirely but may be harder to use. Tom's natural-wax approach sits between these: avoids synthetic PFAS-prone coatings and maintains usability, though durability claims are harder to verify than Teflon-type coating. Plant-based wax floss is increasingly common among natural brands but remains a niche market segment.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent wax degradation or rancidity (plant waxes are more susceptible than synthetics). Use standard flossing technique (gentle sawing and wrapping around each tooth); the wax coating should not require special aftercare. Replace the spool once the floss becomes frayed, stiff, or no longer slides smoothly, typically every 2-4 months depending on daily use. If you have nylon allergies (rare), this product is unsuitable; consult packaging for allergen statements.
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.”
Natural wax oxidation or rancidity
Plant-derived waxes (candelilla, beeswax) can degrade or oxidize over time, especially if stored in warm or humid conditions. This may reduce floss slip or cause unpleasant taste, but poses no acute toxicity risk during normal oral use.
Nylon allergen/irritation risk
Nylon is a synthetic polymer with no established allergenicity in floss form. Oral mucosa contact during flossing is brief and localized. No recalls or adverse event reports specific to nylon floss allergenicity are on record.
Wax supplier contamination (heavy metals, pesticides)
Tom's of Maine does not publicly disclose third-party testing results for wax purity or pesticide residues in this product. Natural plant waxes can concentrate contaminants if sourced from polluted regions or processed without quality control, though ingestion risk during flossing is minimal.
Dye or additive reactions (spearmint flavoring)
Tom's of Maine typically uses natural flavor oils and avoids synthetic azo dyes. No documented adverse reactions to spearmint-flavored floss are on public record, and intraoral exposure during flossing is brief.
Microplastic shedding
Nylon fiber can theoretically shed microparticles during use, but floss fraying occurs at visible scale and particles swallowed during flossing are negligible. No evidence suggests floss fibers accumulate in body tissues from normal use.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 78% 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.