Is dental floss harmful? Find out in the latest study.
A recent study suggests that the use of certain dental floss types may contribute to increased levels of harmful chemicals in the body, potentially leading to various health issues. Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health have linked PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), known for their water- and grease-resistant properties, to conditions such as cancer, thyroid disease, and fertility disorders.
The study, published in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology (JESEE), sheds light on how these chemicals enter the human body and emphasizes the importance of modifying behaviors to minimize exposure. PFAS are commonly found in various consumer products like fast food packaging, non-stick pans, waterproof clothing, and stain-resistant carpets.
Exposure to PFAS can occur through direct contact with products, consumption of contaminated food, indoor air, dust, and polluted drinking water. Scientists express concern about the widespread exposure to PFAS, linking these chemicals to health issues such as kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, low birth weight, decreased fertility, and immune system effects.
The researchers examined blood samples from 178 middle-aged women participating in the Public Health Institute’s Child Health and Development Studies, analyzing 11 different PFAS chemicals. To understand the influence of behavior on PFAS exposure, the study compared blood measurements with interviews regarding nine behaviors that could lead to higher exposure levels.
The analysis revealed that women using Oral-B Glide for flossing tended to have elevated levels of PFHxS (perfluorohexanesulfonic acid) compared to those who did not use this dental floss. In an effort to understand the connection, the researchers tested 18 dental flosses (including 3 Glide products) for the presence of fluorine—a PFAS marker. All three Glide products tested positive for fluorine, aligning with previous reports that Glide is manufactured using Teflon-like compounds.