IN WITH THE NEW: Dental Floss
Welcome to my weekly featured ”IN WITH THE NEW” CLEAN SWAP! This week we are taking a closer look at Sparkling Water!
I’m always fielding questions from clients and friends about how they can swap out some of their favorite products for safer, toxin-free options without a loss in quality, taste, or performance (depending on the product). Every week, I cover food, cosmetics, personal care, cleaning and laundry products, and even behavior, so if you enjoy these Clean Swaps, please follow me on Instagram and sign up for my 360° OF WELLNESS Newsletter (⬅️by clicking on this link to the left) so that you never miss a new one.
Let's talk DENTAL FLOSS😬
Good oral health is important for our teeth and gums, but it also has a huge impact on our overall health. Dentists (and our parents) have been telling us to floss daily since we were kids, but have you ever considered what you’re putting in your mouth when you floss? 🧐 What is it that makes that floss “glide”? 😳
SO WHAT’S SO BAD ABOUT REGULAR “GLIDE” FLOSS? 💁♀️
Oral-B and most other dental floss products are coated in a Teflon-like substance that contains highly toxic perfuoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are used to make materials stain- and stick-resistant (e.g., Scotchgard, Gore-Tex, and Stainmaster 😳). It’s the PFAS that make the dental floss glide easily between teeth and reduce bleeding gums, which makes flossing quicker and more pleasant.
However, according to a recent peer-reviewed study Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, using Oral-B Glide dental floss may be associated with higher levels of toxic PFAS chemicals in your body.
🚫 PFAS are notorious chemical contaminants and flossing with them leaves traces of these chemicals in your mouth, where they are absorbed into your body. And that’s a lot of exposure when you are flossing once or more a day. EVERY day. For years!
Researchers have linked human exposure to:
Cancer
Thyroid disease
Weight gain
High cholesterol
Hormone instability
Immune system damage
ADHD
Fertility issues
Testicular cancer
Fetal development problems
If that’s not bad enough, in addition to PFAS your dental floss also likely contains a whole cocktail of other toxic ingredients, such as
🚫 Artificial sweeteners
🚫 Artificial flavors
🚫 Dyes and coloring, and
🚫 God-only-knows-what-else, since companies aren’t required to disclose their ingredients
🌎 From an environmental perspective, dental floss also presents a problem. Conventional flosses are made from nylon, a petroleum product with a very slow decay rate. Moreover, discarding used dental floss containing PFAS can contaminate ground soil and waterways. This means that not only is dental floss not recyclable (it’s too small) but it takes a long time to biodegrade. So it’s bad for you and bad for our planet. 👎
READY FOR the CLEAN SWAP?🙋♀️
My top recommendation for safer floss is Dr. Tung’s Smart Floss. Like many flosses, it’s made of polyester fibers. Unlike other flosses, it’s made in a proprietary, patented process which makes it expand into inter-dental spaces for super cleansing and making it up to 55% more effective in removing plaque. Instead of petrochemical waxes or artificial flavors, Smart Floss uses a small amount of a vegetable and bees wax blend. In addition, it’s gluten-free, PTFE-free, BPA-free and the container is fully recyclable and biodegradable (unlike regular plastic, which can take up to 100 years.
For reasons unimaginable, Smart Floss only comes in cardamom flavor. If you’re not familiar with cardamom, the best way I can explain what it smells like is if a pine tree mated with a bar of soap and made a baby. It’s a little weird (but only because it’s not traditional floss flavoring), but I personally love it! It’s a natural flavor and it’s way better than the artificial, chemical flavors of other flosses and most definitely superior to the smell of your dried saliva, soooo…. I’m fine with cardomom.
However, if you suffer from “cardamommy,” I have faith that you can get over them. 😂
Finally, there are other natural dental floss alternatives, but I do prefer Smart Floss because:
I actually like cardamom
Smart Floss is less expensive, and
Doesn't fray as easily, which is key for people like me whose teeth are very close together
Try it and tell me how you like it!
Do you have a favorite clean brand?
Send me a message or leave a comment below and share what it is. If I feature it, I’ll give you credit and may even send you a free gift!
If you enjoyed this weeks’s Clean Swap, share it with a friend and sign up for my 360° OF WELLNESS Newsletter (below) so you never miss a new one.e.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Victoria Gregory is an Integrative Nutritionist and founder of NEWTRITION NEWYOU. Her focus—whether with private clients, readers of her blog, or her followers on social media— is whole body wellness, incorporating whole-food nutrition, supplementation, exercise, toxin-free living, and mindset coaching. Victoria’s personal mission is to help make the world a healthier place, one person at a time, and she has helped thousands of people find joy and self-love through better eating habits and mindfulness. Learn more about Victoria.
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TERMINOLOGY
🚫 ACIDIC STABILIZING AGENTS make most mouthwashes as acidic as vinegar. Acid is one of the most corrosive substances in nature and studies show that rinsing your mouth with a mouthwash that contains a high concentration of acid causes a drastic increase in enamel loss, weakening teeth, making them more susceptible to tooth decay, and increasing sensitivity to hot and cold.
🚫 ALCOHOL can irritate oral tissues and cause dry mouth, which can ironically be one of the causes of bad breath. It can also cause sensitivity to the root surfaces of the teeth and wash away your teeth’s protective shield. This loss of protective mucous and saliva can lead to an especially vicious cycle where your teeth stain and build up plaque more easily, decay faster and cause bad breath, leading you to use more mouthwash, which just makes the problem worse. Worst of all, some studies suggest a link between alcohol-containing mouthwash and oral cancer.
🚫 BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) is a toluene-based ingredient (toluene was rated 37th most toxic chemical by the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry in 1992) used as a preservative in personal care products like shaving gels. It can mimic estrogen and is a known endocrine disruptor. It is a possible carcinogen and is linked to developmental and reproductive toxicity.
🚫 CHLORHEXIDINE can temporarily alter your sense of taste, and isn’t recommended for long-term use.
🚫 COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE is a surfactant and has been associated with irritation and allergic contact dermatitis.
🚫 FLAVORS, both artificial and natural, are “catch-all” terms for hundreds of undisclosed chemicals that are concocted in a lab. These ingredients are considered proprietary (just like those in fragrance or parfum) and not disclosed either on the label or to a customer who inquires – so we have no clue what is in them. The only difference between natural and artificial flavors, is that natural flavors are derived from things found in nature, which isn’t necessarily a good thing (psst: lead and arsenic are also natural).
🚫“NATURAL FLAVORS” that you might find interesting:
🚫 The ingredients in natural flavors are considered proprietary (just like those in fragrance or parfum) and not disclosed either on the label or to a customer who inquires – so we have no clue what is in them.
🚫 Each natural flavor may contain up to 100 ingredients, including synthetic chemicals such as the solvent propylene glycol, the preservative BHA, and GMO-derived ingredients (unless organic or Non-GMO Project verified).
🚫 The only difference between natural and artificial flavors, is that natural flavors are derived from things found in nature, which isn’t necessarily a good thing (psst: lead and arsenic are also natural).
🚫 The loophole is that for non-organic foods, regulations do not restrict the dozens of other ingredients (e.g., preservatives or solvents) that can go into a so-called “natural flavor.” In other words, you’ll never know what’s in that can of pamplemousse.
🚫 They can also legally contain naturally occurring “glutamate” by-products that act like MSG, which is an excitotoxin. Excitotoxins make food irresistible to eat but may lead to strokes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, obesity, migraines, fatigue, and depression.
🚫 Flavors are designed to have addictive qualities and increase food cravings. They trick your brain into thinking it’s hungry for more. If you experience increased food cravings while guzzling down drinks full of “natural flavors,” you may want to switch to another beverage.
🚫 FLUORIDE is a known neurotoxin and is linked to IQ loss and ADHD. It’s also an endocrine disruptor and slowly kills off the thyroid (it's original use was to treat hyperthyroidism—an overactive thyroid—and it slows down thyroid function), which regulates all of the body’s metabolic processes. Not only will a sluggish thyroid make you fat and tired, but it will make you sick too.
🚫 FRAGRANCE (or parfum) is a “catch-all” term that represents a complex cocktail of dozens of potentially harmful chemicals. Fragrance is an obvious ingredient in perfumes, colognes, and deodorants, but it's also used in nearly every type of personal care (and cleaning) product. Even products marketed as "fragrance-free" or "unscented" may contain fragrance along with a masking agent that prevents the brain from perceiving odor.
🚫 FRAGRANCE, which should just be listed as “hidden toxins,” can hide hundreds of ingredients bc they are considered “trade secrets.” However, they are packed with dangerous, synthetic chemicals, such as phthalates, which are powerful hormone disruptors linked to pre-term births, birth defects, decreased sperm counts, reduced female fertility, and a worsening of allergy and asthma symptoms.
🚫 ARTIFICIAL FOOD DYES are present in nearly all mouthwash brands. For instance, Cool Mint Listerine contains Green 3, which has been linked to bladder cancer. Original Scope contains Yellow 5, made from a coal tar derivative, and Blue 1, which has been linked to cancer in laboratory animals.
🚫 FORMALDEHYDE (aka quanternium-15) is classified as a “probable human carcinogen” and can cause a burning sensation in the eyes, nose and throat as well as coughing, wheezing, nausea and skin irritation.
🚫 GLYCOLS, like propylene glycol (frequently found in antifreeze and brake fluid), butylene glycol, and ethylene glycol help the skin retain and absorb moisture, and allow liquids to spread more evenly. They’ve been linked with dry skin, rashes, and dermatitis, and high levels may contribute to blood and kidney disorders.
🚫 HYDROXYCITRONELLAL is an odorant used in perfume. It has been linked to allergies and immunotoxicity. EWG rates it a 7 (on a scale from one to ten, with one being the safest and 10 being the most harmful).
🚫 ISOPENTANE is a solvent that helps some ingredients dissolve into others. It can cause dry skin, contact dermatitis, dizziness, headaches, and nose and throat irritation.
🚫 ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE is comedogenic and may bind to nitrates in the body (nitrates are carcinogens).
🚫 MINERAL OIL is a byproduct of petroleum (Yes, that's right, gasoline!). Mineral oils clog pores, increase skin irritation, and can be carcinogenic. Unlike other oils such as jojoba which have nutrients that benefit the skin, mineral oils actually encourage skin to close up, making it difficult for the skin to release naturally occurring toxins This can lead to increased infections and acne breakouts. It’s used because it's a cheap carrier, which means that it creates “slip” thereby assisting with “spreadability.”
🚫 OCTYL STEARATE is comedogenic (blocks pores) and an irritant.
🚫 PALMITIC ACID is an emulsifier, which keeps formulas evenly mixed. It has been linked with contact dermatitis, an allergic reaction in the skin.
🚫 PARABENS disrupt our hormonal balance which can lead to early puberty in children & an increased risk of hormonal cancers. Also linked to birth defects & organ toxicity.
🚫 PEG-10 DINETHICONE & CETYL PEG/PEG-10/1 DIMETHICONE otherwise known as “ethoxylated compounds,” which produce a carcinogenic byproduct is created called 1,4-dioxane, during processing. Traces of this carcinogen are found in many cosmetic and personal care products, even “natural” ones. 1,4-dioxane can be reduced or removed from a product via a vacuum-stripping process, but independent tests show that many manufacturers fail to do so.
🚫 PHTHALATES You likely won’t see this on any ingredient label because it’s usually hidden within the category of Fragrance or Parfum. Phthalates have been linked to asthma, ADHD, breast cancer, obesity and type II diabetes, low IQ, neurodevelopmental issues, behavioral issues, autism spectrum disorders, altered reproductive development and male fertility issues.
🚫 POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE (PTFE) is the same chemical used to make Teflon, the non-stick surface in cookware and has been linked with osteoarthritis, heart disease, early-onset menopause, and breast cancer.
🚫 SODIUM BENZOATE can create free radicals in the body, destroying mitochondrial DNA, speeding up the body's natural aging process. When combined with vitamin C (ascorbic acid) or citric acid, it forms benzene, a known carcinogen.
🚫 SODIUM HYDROXYMETHYLGLYCINATE masquerades as a ‘natural preservative’ but can cause skin and eye irritations. It's has been found to contain formaldehyde (added during processing) and may break down into formaldehyde once it has permeated the skin.
🚫 SODIUM LAURYL SULPHATE is a cleansing and foaming ingredient linked with dry skin, rashes, dermatitis, and impaired hair growth. It is a known irritant and has been shown to cause mouth inflammation and worsen mouth ulcers.
🚫 SODIUM SACCHARIN, a synthetic ingredient, manufactured from petroleum products. It is a possible carcinogen and has been linked to bladder cancer in animals.
🚫 SULFATES (aka sulphates, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, SLS or SLES) are harsh, corrosive products in many personal care products. These are cleansing and foaming ingredients have been linked with dry skin, rashes, dermatitis, and impaired hair growth. Additionally, lauryl mimics estrogen, which is especially problematic for women, and laureth often hosts a known carcinogen called dioxane.
🚫 TRIETHANOLAMINE (TEA) is an emulsifying agent, meaning it helps keep the oil and water from separating. TEA along with cousins DEA (diethanolamine) and MEA (monoethanolamine), are often found in products that foam, including shave creams and gels. They have been linked with hormone disruption, and can form cancer-causing nitrates and nitrosamines. They can also be readily absorbed in the skin.