Silk vs Plastic Dental Floss: Which Is Better?

Most dental floss sold in the UK is made from nylon or PTFE, both types of plastic, often coated with petroleum-based wax and sold in a plastic dispenser. Silk floss does the same job with a natural, biodegradable thread. Here's an honest comparison so you can decide which belongs in your bathroom.

How well does each one clean?

Both remove plaque and food debris effectively when used daily; technique matters far more than material. Silk floss is naturally smooth and, when coated with a plant wax such as candelilla, glides between teeth much like waxed nylon floss. Some people find silk slightly softer on the gums; people with very tight contact points sometimes prefer PTFE tape. If you already floss daily with plastic floss, you will find silk a familiar swap rather than a compromise.

The environmental difference

This is where the two materials genuinely diverge:

• Plastic floss is not recyclable, is used once, and persists in landfill for decades to centuries. Discarded floss also frequently ends up in waterways, where it tangles around wildlife.
• Silk floss is a natural protein fibre. After use it can go in your compost or food-waste caddy, where it breaks down in a matter of months.

The dispenser matters too: silk floss is usually sold in a small refillable glass or metal vial, while plastic floss comes in a single-use plastic case: roughly 30g of plastic thrown away every month or two, per person, forever.

What about strength and shredding?

Quality silk floss is strong enough for daily use, though it is gentler than PTFE tape, which is engineered not to shred. If you have closely spaced teeth or dental work that shreds ordinary floss, ease the silk through with a gentle sawing motion rather than snapping it down.

Cost over a year

Silk floss costs more per spool, but refills bring the price down substantially, because you keep the vial and buy only the thread. Over a year the difference is usually the price of a coffee or two, in exchange for eliminating a stream of unrecyclable plastic.

Our verdict

For most people, silk floss is one of the easiest zero-waste swaps there is: same routine, same clean feeling, compostable afterwards. FLON's Silk Dental Floss Starter Pack is made from Ahimsa (peace) silk coated with candelilla wax and flavoured with peppermint oil, and comes with a refillable dispenser.

Frequently asked questions

Is silk floss vegan?

Silk is an animal fibre, so it isn't vegan. Ahimsa silk is produced without harming the silkworm, which is why many eco-shoppers choose it. If you need a fully vegan option, look for corn-starch (PLA) floss, but check how it's coated, as some use synthetic wax.

Can I compost used silk floss?

Yes: home compost or food-waste caddy. It's a natural protein fibre, like hair.

Does silk floss taste different?

Ours is finished with natural peppermint oil, so it tastes much like a standard minted floss without the artificial sweeteners.