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Is Dr. Tung's Floss Clean?

📅 Updated February 2026⏱️ 4 min readNEW

TL;DR

Dr. Tung's Smart Floss is a clean, non-toxic alternative to conventional dental floss. It uses natural waxes and essential oils instead of petroleum and synthetic flavors. However, eco-conscious consumers should know it is made of polyester, meaning it will not biodegrade.

🔑 Key Findings

1

Dr. Tung's is completely free of PTFE and tests below detectable limits for PFAS (forever chemicals).

2

It removes up to 55% more plaque than regular floss due to its expanding multifilament design.

3

The coating uses a natural blend of beeswax and plant waxes instead of petrochemicals.

4

The floss itself is made of polyester, making it a plastic product that won't compost.

The Short Answer

Dr. Tung’s Smart Floss is clean, non-toxic, and highly effective. It completely avoids the forever chemicals and petroleum-based waxes that plague the conventional oral care aisle.

But eco-conscious buyers should know it is made of polyester plastic. While it comes in a zero-waste cardboard dispenser, the floss itself will never biodegrade.

Why This Matters

The dental floss industry has a massive chemical problem. Brands like Oral-B Glide use PTFE (Teflon) to make their floss slip smoothly between teeth, which exposes users to high levels of PFAS "forever chemicals." Is Glide Floss Safe

Consumer testing has found up to 248,900 parts per million of organic fluorine in conventional glide-style flosses. Because floss goes directly into your mouth and micro-cuts your gums, these chemicals have a direct pathway into your bloodstream. Is There Pfas In Floss

Dr. Tung's takes a completely different approach. Their patented design clinically removes up to 55% more plaque than standard floss without relying on toxic lubricants. Which Floss Has Pfas

What's Actually In Dr. Tung's Floss

Instead of chemical coatings and artificial mint flavors, Dr. Tung's keeps their ingredient list short and natural. What Floss Is Pfas Free

  • Multifilament Polyester — A durable plastic fiber that expands to grab plaque. It is safe for your body, but it is not biodegradable.
  • Vegetable & Beeswax Blend — A natural alternative to the petroleum waxes used by mainstream brands. It combines beeswax with candelilla, carnauba, and castor oil. Waxed Vs Unwaxed Floss
  • Cardamom Essential Oil — Provides a naturally fresh flavor. It completely avoids the synthetic artificial flavors found in standard floss.

What to Look For

Green Flags:

  • PFAS-Free Testing — Dr. Tung's tests below detectable limits for organic fluorine.
  • Natural Waxes — Plant and beeswax blends are significantly cleaner than microcrystalline (petroleum) wax.
  • Plastic-Free Packaging — The FSC-certified paperboard dispenser eliminates single-use plastic waste.

Red Flags:

  • Polyester Fibers — The actual floss string is plastic and contributes to microplastic pollution in landfills.
  • Beeswax (For Vegans) — The standard Smart Floss is not vegan, though they do offer a plant-based alternative.

The Best Options

If you want safe ingredients and superior plaque removal, Dr. Tung's is a massive upgrade over drugstore brands. Safest Dental Floss

BrandProductVerdictWhy
Dr. Tung'sSmart FlossExcellent performance and zero forever chemicals.
Dr. Tung'sVegan Charcoal FlossSwaps the beeswax for a 100% plant-based wax blend.
RadiusSilk FlossA fully biodegradable alternative if you want to avoid polyester.
Oral-BGlide Pro-Health🚫Contains massive amounts of organic fluorine (PFAS).

The Bottom Line

1. Switch to Dr. Tung's for chemical safety — It is an excellent, non-toxic alternative to conventional glide flosses.

2. Accept the polyester tradeoff — You get better plaque removal, but the string itself will not biodegrade.

3. Choose the charcoal version if you are vegan — It uses lemongrass oil and plant waxes instead of beeswax and cardamom.

FAQ

Does Dr. Tung's floss contain PFAS?

No. Dr. Tung's is completely free of PTFE and tests below detectable limits for PFAS. They achieve their smooth glide using natural plant and beeswax blends instead of synthetic chemicals. Is Dental Floss Safe

Is Dr. Tung's floss biodegradable?

No, the floss itself is made of polyester plastic. While their packaging is an excellent plastic-free cardboard dispenser, the used floss must go in the trash, not the compost bin. Is Cocofloss Clean

Why does Dr. Tung's floss expand?

The string is made of hundreds of loosely woven microfibers that stretch when pulled taut and expand when released. This creates a larger surface area that grabs significantly more plaque than standard monofilament string. Safest Dental Floss


References (10)
  1. 1. grove.co
  2. 2. ycombinator.com
  3. 3. drtungs.com
  4. 4. mycrmmanager.com
  5. 5. drtungs.com
  6. 6. reddit.com
  7. 7. mamavation.com
  8. 8. mamavation.com
  9. 9. ipoe.pl
  10. 10. ycombinator.com

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