And what are the microplastic-free alternatives for flossing?
I swear every time I think I am being a responsible adult, the universe throws me another forever chemical curveball. This week’s edition comes from a Reddit user over on r/microplastics who asked:
“What about micro plastics shedding from flossing? What do you do? Is a water pick a sufficient substitute? Is any floss not made from plastic?”
Honestly, great question. Because floss is one of those things that seems innocent. You are literally cleaning your teeth. Gold star behavior. And then suddenly you find out you might also be grinding microplastics into your mouth.
So I dug in. And now you get to follow me down this rabbit hole.
So do microplastics actually shed from floss
Short answer: yes.
Long answer: yes, and it is kind of worse than I thought.
Most conventional floss is nylon or PTFE also called Teflon. Both are plastics. When floss shreds between your teeth which it does those little fibers are microplastics. No magic. No mystery. Just plastic confetti in your mouth.
But here’s the real kicker: some flosses don’t just shed plastic… they’re coated in PFAS to make them “glide better.”
Evidence exists from independent testing showing that certain floss brands contain PFAS or microplastics and that people using Teflon based floss had higher PFAS in their blood:
- Silent Spring researchers found women who used Oral-B Glide had higher PFAS blood levels.
- Lab testing (Mamavation, 2024) found 33% of floss products contained organic fluorine markers… some at levels you don’t want anywhere near your gums.
So yes, floss shedding microplastics is real and PFAS coated floss is basically the boss level villain of floss.
What I do now also known as the I can not unlearn this section
After going through the research, I stood in my bathroom staring at my floss like it had personally betrayed me.
Here is where I landed:
- I ditched PTFE or Teflon or Glide type floss completely. Essentially if it says “non-stick,” “extra-slippery,” or “glides easily,” my rule is: nope.
- I switched to silk floss with natural wax. It’s not 100% perfect (thicker, not vegan), but it’s the only option that isn’t secretly plastic cosplay.
- On days where I’m lazy (so… many days), I use a water flosser with filtered water.
Basically: minimal microplastics + zero PFAS + still flossing.
Is a water pick enough on its own
Dentists have Opinions with a capital O on this.
A water pick is great for cleaning around gums. Think of it as a small power washer for your mouth. But floss is better at scraping the actual contact point between tightly spaced teeth. If your teeth are tightly spaced, a water pick alone might miss some junk.
If you’re choosing between:
A) PFAS-coated microplastic floss
and
B) A water flosser + decent brushing technique
I am choosing B ten out of ten times. I think the best routine is a mix. For me I need a plastic-free floss because my teeth are straight with little gaps and I use a water flosser for lazy flossing attempts and cleaning gums.
Is there floss that isn’t made from plastic?
Yes, but you have to look for it like it’s hidden treasure.
Here are the different alternatives I’ve researched and tried:
1. Silk floss
- 100% silk thread + beeswax or plant wax.
- Found options that were fully biodegradable.
- Avoids microplastics and PFAS.
- Downside: thicker, not vegan and not cheap.
2. Cotton floss
- Rare, and usually not as smooth.
- No plastic, but cotton strands get stuck in my teeth.
3. PLA / “corn floss” / “bamboo floss”
Marketing loves these. Reality check:
- PLA = bioplastic → still sheds microplastics.
- Bamboo floss is often bamboo + nylon blend, so… plastic again.
These aren’t better unless your goal is “feel eco-y” but not actually avoid microplastics.
4. PFAS-free nylon floss (with natural wax)
If you really need thin floss for tight teeth and find the non-plastic options not great these are better than PTFE (no PFAS), but still have plastic.
Are water floss picks better?
From a toxic exposure standpoint, water flossers rank pretty high. You avoid daily microplastic shedding and you avoid PFAS coatings entirely.
If you use filtered water in the tank you also avoid tap water PFAS concerns, but most of these water picks are made in China and over a long use period the plastic starts getting into the water. So you’re back to square one with microplastic exposure.
They are not perfect, but on the exposure reduction scoreboard they perform better than traditional floss options.
Take‑home messages
- Switch to silk floss or PFAS-free nylon (see here for my top 2 picks)
- Retire any PTFE / Glide-style floss immediately.
- Add a water flosser to your routine (with filtered water).
- If your floss frays easily → that’s microplastics → replace it.
- Don’t buy floss that hides its ingredients. That’s a red flag.
- Share this post with someone who flosses daily and thinks they’re healthier than you.
FAQ
Does coated floss raise PFAS or microplastic levels in blood?
Yes. A study on women found that those who used Oral B Glide had higher PFAS levels.
Which flosses were flagged for PFAS?
Independent lab testing found about one third of tested floss brands contained organic fluorine which is a marker for PFAS. Some were extremely high.
Do water flossers create microplastics?
The device is plastic but it does not shed plastic into your mouth the way nylon floss does. However, similar to plastic water bottles and food containers the plastic that holds the water will go into the water over time.
Are PLA flosses actually better?
Not particularly. PLA is still a bioplastic and behaves like microplastic when shredded.
What is the safest option for both PFAS and microplastics?
Silk floss.
If I hate flossing can I just use a water pick?
Water picks do not always clean tight tooth contacts (like mine) as well as floss, but they are far better than not cleaning between teeth. I use both a water pick and silk floss and call it a day.
For more at-home microplastic tests and what I found, check out our full resource: I Tested 4 Cutting Boards for Microplastics.
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