Waxed Dental Floss

Did you know that one of the main ingredients in waxed dental floss is also used in Teflon coating? You read that right: your dental floss may be coated with some of the same chemicals used to create the non-stick effect in cookware. While you’re not really likely to swallow your floss, that doesn’t change the fact that you’re still rubbing your pearly whites down with harmful PFCs and PTFEs.

PFCs (perfluorinated compounds) and PTFEs (a polymer used in the production of Teflon) have been linked to cancer, autoimmune diseases, and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. You can avoid these risks by looking for floss that’s coated in beeswax, unwaxed floss, or even consider using a Waterpik to make sure your mouth is as safely clean as possible.