Keeping up with your dental hygiene should never be dangerous. And that's why we're here to warn you about this floss!
Oral-B Glide dental floss may be associated with high levels of PFAS toxic chemicals in the body.
PFAS are chemicals that can be potentially harmful and are often used for water and grease resistance.
The study was published in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology. It came from the Silent Spring Institute in Newton, Massachusetts, and Public Health Institute in Berkeley, California. It explains how these chemicals can be harmful when they enter the human body.
Higher levels of the chemicals were found in a woman who used Oral-B Glide floss than a woman who did not.
A scientist and lead author at Silent Spring, Katie Boronow, stated that "This is the first study to show that using dental floss containing PFAS is associated with a higher body burden of these toxic chemicals."
Oral-B shared in a statement to USA TODAY that "The safety of the people who use our products is our top priority. Our dental floss undergoes thorough safety testing and we stand behind the safety of all our products."
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said that "there is evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse human health effects."
If you are exposed to this chemical, it can lead to cancer and even thyroid disease for children.
In addition to floss, more hygiene products, fast food wrappers, microwavable popcorn bags, and nonstick cookware also may contain PFAS.
Stay safe out there and please check your floss to make sure the brand is safe!