Recently I wrote to you about the dangers of so-called “safe” nonstick pans.
I warned that the chemicals used to keep them “slippery” so your food doesn’t stick… perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalyl or PFAS… could be carcinogenic.
In fact, there’s already research linking the creepy chemicals to prostate, testicular, and kidney cancers.
But if you thought that was bad, hold on to your hat.
A stunning new study has revealed you may have been putting PFAS DIRECTLY into your mouth.
I’ll explain in just a moment. But first, let’s take a closer look at how these chemicals could harm you.
Nonstick chemicals are hazardous to your health
You may recall many everyday household items contain PFAS including food packaging, waterproof clothing, stain-resistant carpeting, and that nonstick cookware I’ve already warned you about before.
Manufacturers use them because they help make products grease- and water-resistant. But make no mistake about it their potential harms FAR outweigh their benefits.
And cancer isn’t the only concern, either. PFAS are also associated with…
- chronic kidney disease
- elevated cholesterol
- liver disease
- infertility
- low birth weights
- compromised immune systems
In other words, these toxic industrial chemicals could be hazardous to your health.
Dental floss can contain cancer-linked chemicals
But suddenly the issue has become even MORE urgent. Because a study published in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology found PFAS in our dental floss.
Which means having these chemicals leach into your food or absorbed by your skin just moved down on the danger list.
Because if you’re using any one of these six brands of dental floss, you could be placing PFAS directly into your mouth.
- CVS Health EaseBetween SuperSlip Dental Floss Waxed
- Oral-B Glide Pro-Health Mint
- Oral-B Glide Pro-Health Original
- Crest Glide Deep Clean Cool Mint Floss
- Safeway Signature Care Mint Waxed Comfort Floss
- Colgate Total Dental Floss Mint
If any one of these is your go-to brand, it’s time to think about tossing it.
Certain flosses sent PFAS levels soaring
It’s a well-known secret that some dental floss use nonstick coatings. They make the floss slip across the teeth easier.
But until now, no one bothered to find out if those chemicals were finding their way into the bodies of the folks using the products
The new study conducted at Silent Spring Institute in Newton, Massachusetts, tested more than 100 women and focused on 18 different dental flosses.
And it turns out the ladies who used any one of these six popular flosses had FAR higher PFAS levels in their bloodstream than volunteers who used any of the remaining brands.
Poor tooth care triggers health problems
Giving up and not taking care of your dental health isn’t the answer, of course.
Poor oral hygiene doesn’t JUST leave you with bad breath. It can have serious health consequences.
For starters, if you skip out on tooth care, you could be risking your heart. Dental floss helps remove harmful bacteria which can get into your bloodstream and attack your ticker.
Plus the chronic inflammation caused by gum disease increases your risk of heart attack and stroke.
Research has also linked certain bacteria found in the mouth to higher rates of memory loss and the kind of inflammation we see with Alzheimer’s disease. And flossing could even help reduce cancer risk.
So instead of skipping the tooth care, just make the switch to a dental floss brand you know you can trust. And if you prefer “waxed” versions choose one which uses natural waxes instead of chemicals. One we like around here is Tom’s of Maine.
She is an advocate of self-education and is passionate about the power of group knowledge sharing, like the kind found right here on HealthierTalk.com. Alice loves to share her views on holistic and natural healing as well as her, sometimes contentious, thoughts on the profit-driven inner workings of traditional medicine.
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