To find the best dental flosses, we asked two dentists what shoppers should look for when choosing a new product. With their expert recommendations in mind, we scoured the internet for crowd-favorite dental flosses, considering more than two dozen products. We also asked our editors which flosses they've personally tested and used at home and included the top contenders. Since it’s hard for patients to know what the source of their bleeding is, the best course of action is to talk with your dentist about your experience, says Dr. Reich. Your dentist can then refer you to a gum specialist, or periodontist, if necessary. However, studies have linked PFCs to health problems from liver toxicity to developmental issues and immune system changes. What to look for in an eco-friendly dental floss Price: Dental hygiene shouldn't feel like a financial burden. We made sure to include an assortment of products in a range of prices so everyone can clean their teeth, regardless of budget.

One the positive side, some zero-waste floss contains activated charcoal, which is believed to aid with digestion, lower cholesterol, and improve kidney function. Key takeawaysBy switching to an eco-friendly, zero-waste dental floss product, you’ll be better looking after your oral health, your general health, and the planet too! In terms of the floss, you should look for materials that are compostable, or at the very least recyclable. Floss can be made of materials such as bamboo fiber and silk which are completely biodegradable. Along with the sustainability, there are other concerns to consider regarding the materials your floss is made from. After all, this is something that you put in your mouth, so you want to make sure it is safe for your health! When you have braces, it’s more important than ever to keep your teeth and oral appliances clean so you can avoid discolored spots, which will be visible when the braces finally come off. A container cannot be considered zero-waste unless it is recyclable, or better yet, reusable. Excellent examples of sustainable floss containers are cardboard that is made from both recycled and recyclable cardboard (like Radius Green Tea Jasmine Silk Floss, Humble Co. Dental Floss, and CareDent Floss In A Box Dental Tape) or refillable tins or glass containers (products EcoFox Bamboo Charcoal Floss, Georganics Vegan Compostable Floss, TreeBird Silk Eco Floss, and Doctors Dental Floss).

When you think about the number of floss containers you use every year, and then extend that to your lifetime, it’s a scary thought! 2. Floss is non-biodegradable Material: Nylon | Usage: Take a piece of floss, curve it around the tooth, and use an up and down motion to clean under the gum line and the debris on top | Flavor: UnflavoredHowever, it is not just the floss containers that are problematic: the floss itself is an eco-nightmare. Regular dental floss is usually made of nylon, a non-biodegradable type of plastic. A piece of nylon floss will take at least 80 years to break down, and can be much longer. If all this wasn’t enough, there are also issues with the wax often used to coat dental floss. Manufacturers include a range of chemicals in the wax, including perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), which help the floss to glide more easily between your teeth.

Floss is designed to be extremely durable and not tear or break. This characteristic means it can easily suffocate fish and other marine animals or accumulate in their stomachs with disastrous consequences. 3. Floss contains harmful chemicals Many eco-friendly floss products are coated in natural candelilla wax instead, to avoid this problem.Worse still, small and light pieces of trash such as floss are particularly prone to not making it into landfill and ending up in the ocean instead. We know that plastic waste of any kind is devastating to marine life, and this is particularly true when it comes to dental floss. Flavor: Everyone's preferences are different in terms of flavor. We considered whether the flavor is overpowering or subtle, whether it is minty or offers a different taste, and whether or not it leaves an unsavory aftertaste. You may also have bleeding gums if you are on certain medications (such as blood thinners), if you have a vitamin deficiency, or if you are pregnant. Ease of use: You need to consider your mouth's needs when looking at floss -- like if you have braces, wide gaps, close or crowded teeth, etc. Daniel Reich, DMD, recommends that people use floss best suited for their teeth. Should your teeth be closer together, it's better to use a thinner floss whereas if you have larger spaces, dental tape may be the better option. Water flossers would be the best option for people with braces. Regular dental floss is an eco-nightmare: not only does it come in plastic containers, but the floss itself is non-biodegradable and represents risks to marine life. Regular floss can be hazardous not only to the planet but to our health too, thanks to the toxic ingredients often used in the wax.

Material: We considered material by looking at features like how much wax the floss is coated in, if it offers additional hygienic ingredients like fluoride, and whether the fibers are strong or prone to breakage. Regular dental floss almost always comes in a plastic container and these containers are generally not recyclable. A plastic dental floss container takes hundreds of years to decompose and in the meantime, will take up space in landfill, or pollute the planet’s land or waterways.Bleeding gums is a sign of inflammation, which is often due to ineffective removal of plaque,” says Dr. Reich, “[but] it can also be the result of overaggressive flossing, which is causing trauma to the gum tissue.” If refills are available, this will also help you to reduce the waste you produce, as you will be able to reuse the container repeatedly.