As we already know, keeping our teeth clean is important. Brushing between meals, using mouthwash to rinse, and of course, flossing.
In recent years, more people have become aware of the environmental impact of everyday products, and dental floss is one of them.
This article will go through what makes traditional dental floss not vegan, the environmental impact, and the vegan options available on the market.
The environmental impact of traditional dental floss
Many people are unaware of how traditional dental floss impacts the environment. Most traditional floss is made from nylon or Teflon, which are derived from petroleum-based sources. On top of this, the packaging is often plastic, which gets sent straight to landfill.
What makes traditional dental floss not vegan?
Vegans usually seek out alternatives that do not exploit animals or use their byproducts. Traditional dental floss not being vegan is down to the materials used in its production that don’t align with vegan beliefs.
- Silk – Some traditional dental floss is made from silk, which is produced by silkworms. Since the process of getting silk from silkworms harms an insect, it goes against vegan beliefs.
- Beeswax – Beeswax comes from honeybees which again harms an insect, thus not aligning with the vegan lifestyle.
- Testing and ingredients – Sometimes floss can be tested on animals during the development phase, something vegans typically avoid.
Why vegan dental floss?
Vegan dental floss takes away the environmental concerns associated with traditional floss by using plant-based materials.
Opting for vegan floss aligns with a cruelty-free lifestyle and also supports sustainable practices, which is crucial. The majority of them are biodegradable or compostable which reduces overall environmental impact.
Common types of vegan dental floss
- Corn-based floss – One of the most popular options for vegan dental floss is corn. They’re usually biodegradable and free from harmful chemicals and are just as sturdy as traditional floss.
- Bamboo charcoal floss – Bamboo is highly associated with being eco-friendly and dental floss is no exception. Bamboo charcoal floss is known for its natural antibacterial properties and how it absorbs impurities.
- PLA (polylactic acid) floss – This is a bioplastic derived from renewable materials like corn starch and sugarcane. It’s compostable and is a great alternative to traditional dental floss.
- Silk-free floss – Traditional floss contains silk, so many companies offer a silk-free alternative made from plant-based fibers or Tencel which is a type of cellulose fiber.
How to choose the right vegan dental floss
When choosing a vegan dental floss, there are a few factors to keep in mind while making the selection that meets both vegan beliefs and environmental standards.
- Biodegradability – Looking for this minimizes impact on landfills and ecosystems.
- Packaging – Opt for products with minimal or eco-friendly packaging like cardboard.
- Material – Check the materials of the floss and ensure it’s free from animal byproducts.
- Effectiveness – While buying vegan dental floss is great, not all of them will be as high quality as traditional floss. Check reviews.
Vegan dental floss options available on the market
While many people don’t consider vegan dental floss to even be a thing, there are a large number of brands that offer vegan coating and cruelty-free dental floss! So whether you’re a hardcore vegan or just looking to be more environmentally friendly, these flosses are perfect.
RADIUS Vegan Peppermint Anywhere Floss
- TEAR - FLOSS & TOSS: Our Travel Floss have done away with wasteful plastic containers. These convenient single use flosses are perfect for carrying in your pocket or purse when you’re on the go.
- PERFECT PORTABILITY: Now you can floss anytime anywhere with sleek convenient Floss Sachets. Perfect for carrying in your pocket or purse when you’re on the go.
- NO NASTY INGREDIENTS: You won’t find PFAS, glutens, preservatives, artificial sweeteners, GMOs, unnatural coloring, phthalates, parabens or any other harmful additives in our floss. Ever.
Amount: 20 floss per pack
With biodegradable packaging and no nasty ingredients, the RADIUS Vegan Peppermint Anywhere Floss is perfect for flossing on the go. They are great for carrying around in your pocket or purse with the sleek and convenient floss sachets.
Cocofloss Woven Dental Floss
- DESIGNED BY A DENTIST: Tired of flat tape floss, Dr. Chrystle Cu designed Cocofloss to have a textured weave of 500+ interwoven threads that expand like a net to reach and capture cavity-causing plaque, leaving you with an ultraclean, bright smile.
- DELIGHTFULLY CLEANSING: Delicious Mint Cocofloss is naturally scented with spearmint oil, and infused with cleansing coconut oil and vegan wax to help it glide between teeth with comfort while it scrubs them clean. P.S. Kids love it too.
- PLANET-FRIENDLY, CLEAN, AND CRUELTY-FREE: Cleanly spun from ~85% recycled water bottles; refillable dispenser; less waste than plastic picks and flossers; free of parabens and sulfates; no irritating flavors; Leaping Bunny–certified cruelty-free.
Amount: 33yd floss
This woven dental floss has a textured weave of 500+ interwoven threads that expand to reach and capture plaque. It’s naturally scented with spearmint oil, infused with coconut oil and vegan wax to help it glide seamlessly between your teeth! It’s also planet-friendly, clean, and cruelty-free as it’s made from 85% recycled water bottles!
MOON Graphite Grey Clean Slide Floss
- Clean sliding, PFA-free waxed dental floss that cleans deep and doesn’t tear
- Countertop worthy design, an easy one-handed grip and invigorating mint flavor.
- No SLS, SLES, parabens, artificial flavors and animal products. Did we mention we're vegan 😉 We believe oral beauty care products should be carefully crafted, safe & effective.
Amount: 54.6yd floss
Made with no SLS, SLES, parabens, artificial flavors, and animal products, this floss is made from globally sourced premium ingredients that deep cleans and doesn’t tear!
ME Mother Earth Vegan Biodegradable Bamboo Charcoal Dental Floss
- VEGAN AND CRUELTY-FREE unlike silk floss - Our ECO FLOSS is 100% Biodegradable, made from Bamboo Charcoal Fiber so it breaks down in approximately 60-90 days. Packaging is all recyclable or biodegradable.
- AMAZING DEAL 2-PACK OF THE BEST FLOSS (EVER) - Help the environment while using a high quality product. Our ECO FLOSS is extremely easy to use, comfortable and soothing to your gums.
- OUR COMMITMENT TO MOTHER EARTH - We donate 10% of our profits to ocean and environmental conservation, so your purchase TAKES ACTION. Our packaging is also 100% recyclable and plastic-free. If you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase, we will make it right or process a refund.
Amount: 33yds x 2 floss
ME Mother Earth dental floss comes in a refillable glass container with a free refill. It’s made with natural candelilla wax and scented with peppermint essential oil! It’s 100% biodegradable and made from bamboo charcoal fiber so it breaks down approximately 60-90 days after use. ME Mother Earth also donates 10% of its profits to ocean and environmental conservations, so you can rest assured they care about the planet!
REACH POP Dental Floss
- Sustainable Packaging: Reach POP Dental Floss is sustainable & packaged in a Post-Consumer Recycled(PCR) plastic for the container.
- This floss is PFAS-Free & Cruelty-Free with Vegan wax coating
- Shred Resistance & Effective Plaque Removal: The width area of the floss, made of interlaced micro threads, provides Shred Resistance and removes plaque effectively.
Amount: 54.7yds floss
Not only does Reach Pop Dental Floss have sustainable packaging, but it’s coated with a PFAS-free and cruelty-free vegan wax coating. According to reviews, it slides easily and provides a pleasant and clean feeling after use. The width of the floss, made of interlaced micro threads, provides shred resistance and removes plaque effectively!
Eco-Dent GentleFloss Dental Floss
- FLOSS & BONUS MOUTH RINSE: Flossing after every brushing helps protect your teeth and gums. For Complete Oral-Care, a single-use Eco-Dent Daily Rinse (4ml) packet is paired with the floss.
- ECO-FRIENDLY DENTAL CARE: Eco-Dent Premium dental floss coated with plant-based vegan wax and 11 essential oils supports your oral care needs; Gentle Floss expands between your teeth for added coverage.
- INNOVATIVE PAPER PACKAGING: Our Vegan Wax Floss dispenses directly from the water-resistant recyclable paper carton.
Amount: 100yds floss
Eco-Dent GentleFloss Dental Floss is coated with plant-based vegan wax and 11 essential oils that support your oral care without harming the planet or bees. The floss dispenses straight from the paper carton, making it the perfect choice if you want to reduce plastic waste in landfills! With a whopping 100yds of floss, this should last you between 3-4 months if you floss twice a day!
As demands for vegan and environmentally friendly oral care increases, so do the options on the market! With numerous options available, there’s no reason to not opt for the cruelty-free option.
With the help of this list, you’ll now be able to easily identify and steer clear of dental floss that contains non-vegan ingredients. This will make your shopping experience more simple and allow you to make an informed decision when purchasing vegan dental floss.