Tom's of Maine · Dental Floss
Toms Toms Flat Floss Sprment 32yd
Lower-concern product; dental floss is not a typical PFAS vector, but Tom's of Maine does not publicly disclose material composition.
Dental floss lacks the functional coatings (water-repellent, grease-resistant, nonstick) that typically require PFAS. Tom's of Maine is known for natural/minimal-chemical positioning but makes no explicit PFAS claim. No lab data exists for this specific product, and the brand does not disclose detailed floss composition publicly.
Shop Tom's of Maine on Amazon →Material
Dental floss (string fiber, likely nylon or similar polymer)
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 Flat Floss is a polymer-based dental floss, most likely nylon or a nylon blend, designed to be thicker and wider than traditional round floss for easier handling. The exact composition is not publicly disclosed by the brand. Flat floss geometry itself poses no unique chemical hazard compared to round alternatives; the polymer base (whether nylon or similar synthetic) does not release significant compounds during normal use in the oral cavity, where contact is brief and wet.
The brand's record and disclosure
Tom's of Maine is owned by Colgate-Palmolive and markets itself as a natural-focused personal care brand with some certifications (e.g., Leaping Bunny cruelty-free). However, the company does not publicly disclose material composition, sourcing, or PFAS status for this floss product. No recalls or established safety incidents are on record. The brand's silence on polymer-specific safety is typical across the dental floss category, where regulatory oversight is minimal.
How it compares in its category
Dental floss is a low-exposure, short-contact-time product that generates minimal hazard compared to cookware, food storage, or cosmetics applied to skin. Tom's flat floss occupies the mid-market segment alongside brands like Glide and Oral-B; all mainstream flosses use similar synthetic polymers with no known safety differentiation. Natural or silk alternatives exist but are not inherently safer and cost more. This product is typical and poses typical (minimal) risk.
If you buy it
Use as directed: dispense floss, wrap around fingers, guide between teeth with gentle sawing motion, and discard after use. Do not swallow floss. Store in a dry place away from heat. No special maintenance is required. Replace the spool when exhausted or if the floss becomes frayed. There are no heating limits, special care instructions, or degradation concerns specific to this product during normal oral use.
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.”
Polymer composition / leaching
Nylon and similar synthetic polymers used in dental floss are stable in the oral cavity and do not leach significant chemical compounds during brief contact with saliva and teeth. No evidence of monomer or additive migration in the floss category.
Microplastic shedding
Dental floss is designed to be strong and does not fragment during normal use. Ingestion of intact or microscopic floss fibers is not a documented hazard; any fibers swallowed are inert and pass through the GI tract.
Dye or colorant toxicity
Tom's Flat Floss is typically white or clear; no heavy metals or azo dyes are typical in dental floss products. No public incidents of dye-related harm from this or similar products are on record.
Choking or mechanical injury
As with all floss, improper use or swallowing of long strands poses a theoretical choking or GI tract entanglement risk, particularly in young children. This is a user-error hazard, not a product defect.
Material disclosure gap
Tom's of Maine does not publicly specify polymer type, additives, or processing methods. This opacity makes independent safety assessment difficult, though no specific hazard is known or suspected.
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.