08/15/2025
PDX-Earth Tip: Dental floss may be essential to good oral hygiene and it’s been breaking down plaque and blocking cavities for over 200 years. But what began as silk thread pulled between teeth is now a $700 million global industry that now litters landfills with plastics and forever chemicals.
Dental floss was created in 1819 when New Orleans dentist Levi Spear Parmly recommended running a waxen silk thread "through the interstices of the teeth, between their necks and the arches of the gum, to dislodge that irritating matter which no brush can remove.” Johnson & Johnson quickly dominated the market after receiving the first patent in 1898.
But what began as a thread is now a mountain of non-biodegradable plastic and packaging. This stems from several key factors: its material composition, production processes, and disposal methods.
The majority of commercial dental floss is made from nylon, a type of plastic derived from petroleum. Nylon is strong, durable, and inexpensive, making it ideal for removing plaque and debris from between teeth, but this durability translates into a major environmental drawback: nylon does not biodegrade in landfills. It can take hundreds of years for nylon floss to break down, contributing to plastic accumulation and potentially releasing harmful microplastics into the environment.
Some floss products are also coated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) - often referred to as “forever chemicals” - that are used to provide a slippery surface, allowing the floss to glide more easily between teeth.
Dental floss packaging also contributes to waste. Plastic dispensers are often made from hard-to-recycle plastics like polypropylene, and even if the dispenser is technically recyclable, its small size and shape often prevent it from being effectively processed at recycling facilities.
Disposing of floss in the trash means it ends up in landfills, where it can persist for centuries. Flushing floss down the toilet is even worse, as it can contribute to sewer blockages and contaminate waterways.
The floss that is combined with a hard plastic toothpick is perhaps worst of all, as the toothpick is not recyclable. Plastic floss picks are small, but their collective impact is immense. Designed for convenience, they are typically made from hard plastic and nylon floss—both non-biodegradable materials. These items are often flushed or improperly discarded, finding their way into oceans.
Studies estimate that around 2.3 billion floss picks are used and disposed of each year in the U.S. alone, contributing significantly to marine plastic pollution.
Thankfully, there are some environmentally friendly options for dental floss:
• Silk Floss: Made from silkworm cocoons, silk floss is a natural and biodegradable option. It is often coated with beeswax or plant-based wax for added smoothness.
• Bamboo Fiber Floss: Bamboo is a fast-growing, renewable resource, making it a more sustainable choice than nylon. Bamboo fiber floss is biodegradable and compostable, offering a lower environmental footprint.
• PLA Floss: Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biodegradable plastic derived from renewable resources like cornstarch. PLA floss is a less environmentally damaging option than nylon floss, although it requires specific composting conditions to break down properly.
Reusable Floss Options
• Water Flossers (Oral Irrigators): Water flossers use a stream of water to remove plaque and debris from between teeth. While they require electricity to operate, they eliminate the need for single-use floss, significantly reducing waste.
For more, visit kpsu.org.
