I Wouldn't Cook With Teflon, So Why Floss With It?

Over the last several years, I've been changing my personal care products over to more natural and organic brands. The one item that I never thought to change, figuring it didn't matter, was dental floss. I was shocked to recently learn that the really great waxed flosses that don't shred or get stuck between teeth are, in fact, coated with a type a Teflon, called PTFE.

Teflon is a perfluorochemical (PFC), which research has shown can cause liver, pancreatic, testicular and mammary gland tumors in animals. PFCs--also found in stain resistant material-- can linger in a human body for years and the Center for Disease Control has found that most Americans have traces of them in their blood.

While I still prefer a nice wax on my floss to make cleaning between my teeth easier, I have now ditched the man-made variety for one made with vegetable wax. It works just as great without exposing myself to unnecessary toxins.

For more information on PFC's check out the Environmental Working Group's Web site.

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