Dental Professionals
This post is part of the Slate Longevity Series, where we dig into the science behind why a two-minute flossing habit is about so much more than clean teeth, and how the choices you make in your bathroom each night can shape your health for decades to come.
Longevity isn't about extreme routines. It’s about small, daily preventative habits that reduce inflammation and protect your body over time. It's built into everyday choices, the ones that seem almost too ordinary to matter.
It’s what you cook with, what you drink, and what you use to clean your teeth at night.
Most of these don’t feel like health decisions, but over a lifetime, they add up, and a growing body of research is beginning to fully recognize their impact. By now, you’ve probably heard terms like “forever chemicals” or PFAS tossed around in conversations about toxic vs. non-toxic products. We’re here to help explain what they are, why they matter, and how making small changes to your daily routines can lower your daily toxin exposure.
What Are PFAS?
The research on PFAS health effects is still developing, but current peer-reviewed studies have linked certain PFAS to changes in hormone function, increased cholesterol, impacts on the immune system, and associations with some cancers.
The key point in all of this research is the focus on accumulation. No single exposure to PFAS is the concern — it's the daily, compounding effect of small exposures over many years, which means that reducing your toxin load, even a little, in the places where it's easiest to do so, genuinely matters.
The Place Nobody Thinks to Look: Your Dental Floss
Most people are now aware that nonstick pans and waterproof jackets can contain PFAS. However, there’s one exposure that often flies under the radar: PFAS-coated floss.
In a landmark study by Silent Spring Institute, research showed several dental floss products were associated with higher levels of PFAS in the body, as a result of Teflon being used to produce an easy glide coating for dental floss. When discussing the results of the study, co-author Dr. Laurel Schaider commented, “The study helped catalyze broader awareness of the widespread use of PFAS in everyday products, particularly non-essential uses. Dental floss is important for oral health, but it does not require PFAS chemicals to function effectively. Their use in these products is a readily avoidable source of exposure.”
From the beginning, Slate inventor Dr. Danny Snyder knew that he wanted to offer a top-tier, non-toxic oral care product. He wanted his patients to feel good about the products that they were using to clean their teeth. Which meant non-toxic floss and PFAS-free product materials were a nonnegotiable. Every Slate floss head is PFAS-free and PTFE-free — no forever chemicals, no toxic coatings. Just effective, non-toxic woven floss that does exactly what it's supposed to do.
Unlike many kinds of glide floss, Slate doesn’t rely on toxic coatings to help floss move easily. Instead, we use non-toxic woven floss to grab and remove plaque from between your teeth. That's why switching to Slate is one of the easiest product swaps you can make to decrease your contact with forever chemicals.
A Practical Room-by-Room Guide to Reducing Your Toxin Load
If you’re ready to get serious about lowering your contact with forever chemicals, you don't need to throw out everything you own. The most effective approach is simple: when something needs replacing, replace it with a better option. Here's where to start.
In your water: Filtering your tap water with a pitcher certified for PFAS removal is one of the highest-impact steps you can take. Reverse osmosis filters are the gold standard.
In your closet: When shopping for new outerwear or athletic gear, look for items explicitly labeled PFAS-free. Major brands, including Patagonia and REI have already committed to removing PFAS from their supply chains, so the options are growing.
In your bathroom: Scan personal care product ingredient labels for the words "fluoro" or "perfluoro" — these appear in some lotions, cosmetics, shaving creams, and yes, dental floss. Choosing products explicitly labeled PFAS-free and PTFE-free is all it takes.
In your home: When purchasing new furniture, rugs, or bedding, look for items labeled PFAS-free and decline optional stain-resistance treatments. No need to replace what you have. Just make smarter choices going forward.
The Longevity Angle
Here's why this matters for the long game.
Longevity research consistently points to chronic, low-grade inflammation as one of the primary drivers of biological aging. By disrupting hormone function and stressing the immune system, PFAS contribute to that inflammatory burden over time. Reducing your daily exposure is a small part of a larger picture, one where consistent, intentional choices across your routine quietly compound into better health over decades.
You don't have to be perfect. You just have to be a little more intentional than yesterday.
Your Starter Swap List
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Food packaging: Skip reheating in plastic or greasy takeout containers.
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Personal care: Check labels for "fluoro" or "perfluoro" and choose explicitly PFAS-free products.
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Dental floss: Switch to a PFAS-free, PTFE-free flossing option. Shop Slate’s non-toxic flosser today.
Shop Slate Today
Up Next in The Slate Longevity Edit
Part 2 is about what happens inside your body when stress goes unmanaged and why your nervous system might be the most underrated longevity tool you have.
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your physician for personalized guidance on reducing chemical exposure and supporting your long-term health.
Sources:
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Jiao Y, Fu Z, Ni X. Journal of Clinical Periodontology. 2025. PMC
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Silent Spring Institute. PFAS in Dental Floss Study. Public Health Institute
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U.S. EPA. Human Health Risks of PFAS. EPA.gov
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NIEHS. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). NIEHS.nih.gov
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NRDC. Forever Chemicals in Your Food, Clothes, and Home. NRDC.org
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Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. What to Know About PFAS. JHSPH
Frequently Asked Questions
Does dental floss really contain PFAS?
Some dental floss products do, yes. Traditional string floss — particularly glide-style flosses marketed for their smooth feel — is often coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a type of PFAS. A peer-reviewed study by the Silent Spring Institute identified six dental floss products associated with higher PFAS levels in the body. The good news: PFAS-free and PTFE-free options are widely available, including Slate's woven floss heads.
How do I know if my floss contains PFAS?
Check the ingredient list or product description for the words "PTFE," "Teflon," or any term containing "fluoro" or "perfluoro." Flosses marketed as "glide" flosses or described as extra-smooth are common culprits. When in doubt, look for products explicitly labeled PFAS-free and PTFE-free.
Is flossing still worth it if some floss contains PFAS?
Absolutely. Flossing is one of the most important things you can do for your long-term health. The solution isn't to stop flossing; it's to choose a floss that doesn't come with unwanted extras. Switching to a PFAS-free option means you get all the health benefits of daily flossing without the unnecessary chemical exposure.
How does PFAS get into the body through flossing?
The gumline is one of the more absorptive areas of the body, and flossing involves direct, repeated contact between the floss and that tissue. Daily exposure to a PFAS-coated product in that area — even in small amounts — adds up over time.
Are electric flossers PFAS-free?
It depends on the product. Some electric flossers use replaceable floss heads that are still made with PTFE-coated string — so the delivery method changes, but the floss itself doesn't. Slate's woven floss heads are explicitly PFAS-free and PTFE-free, which is one of the reasons Slate was designed the way it was. Always check what the floss head itself is made from, not just the device.