Colgate Total Floss
Colgate's "Total" floss fiber is PTFE - a fluoropolymer in the PFAS family - and independent testing found it high in organic fluorine. Choose a silk floss instead.
The verdict: Mostly plastic
The fiber in Colgate's "Total" floss is PTFE - polytetrafluoroethylene, a fluoropolymer in the PFAS family - the material a silk floss avoids by construction. Independent 2024 lab testing measured Colgate Total Mint Waxed at roughly 91,400 ppm organic fluorine, consistent with a PTFE thread. The per-use exposure from a single strand is modest but real and cumulative, and it's avoidable. Note the buy-the-right-SKU trap in reverse: Colgate also sells a plain nylon floss (plastic, but not PFAS), so it's specifically the "Total" line that carries the fluoropolymer.
Verification: Manufacturer confirmed
What it's made of
| Part | Material | Skin contact |
|---|---|---|
| thread PTFE fiber - the 'Total' line | PTFE / Teflon nonstick fluoropolymer | Yes primary |
| dispenser | Plastic other / unspecified | No |
A waxed floss sold under Colgate's "Total" sub-brand in a molded plastic case. It's a smooth, shred-resistant thread that handles tight contacts well - the low-friction feel coming from the PTFE fiber.
Pros
- Smooth PTFE thread resists shredding and slides into tight contacts
- Cheap and stocked almost everywhere
Cons
- The "Total" fiber is PTFE - a fluoropolymer in the PFAS family - passed along the gumline each use
- Independent testing found it high in organic fluorine (~91,400 ppm)
- Easy to confuse with Colgate's plain nylon floss - the "Total" pack is the PTFE one
Categories: Dental Floss
Sources
Every material claim above is backed by these. This is the scattered info we centralized.
- manufacturer https://www.colgate.com Colgate Total floss line; brand also sells a separate plain nylon floss
- other https://www.mamavation.com/beauty/toxic-pfas-dental-floss-tooth-floss.html 2024 lab test - Colgate Total Mint Waxed ~91,400 ppm organic fluorine
Spot a mistake or something out of date? Let us know — corrections are how this stays accurate.