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.” 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.

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 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! 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. By 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! 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.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.

Many eco-friendly floss products are coated in natural candelilla wax instead, to avoid this problem. 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 takeaways

What are Dental Floss Picks?

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.