The global dental floss market size was valued at USD 617.85 million in 2022. It is expected to reach USD 955.21 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 4.96% during the forecast period (2023–2031).
One of the essential dental hygiene practices is flossing because it eliminates the plaque between teeth, which is a leading cause of periodontal diseases. While brushing removes these particles from the mouth, flossing helps remove plaque, bacteria, and food from between teeth and lowers the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Food and plaque will remain in the mouth until the next time someone brushes if they brush first and floss later. Therefore, flossing before brushing improves the effectiveness of brushing. Plaque removal, cavity prevention, and the avoidance of gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis are all benefits of flossing. Periodontal diseases are less likely to develop as a result of using dental floss.
Maintaining healthy teeth, gums, and tongues requires proper oral hygiene. Oral health is a crucial indicator of general health, well-being, and quality of life, according to a 2021 update from the World Health Organization (WHO). With 45% of people visiting the dentist twice a year, Germany had the highest rate of regular dental visits, according to the Oral Health Awareness Survey by Sunstar Group 2021. 31% of people report having good oral health. Germany and Brazil had the next-lowest rates of tooth decay, at 21% and 20%, respectively, after the Netherlands. The market for dental floss is therefore driven by people's growing awareness of oral health issues. The rise in oral health initiatives is driving global demand for dental floss. Additionally, there has been a rise in oral health awareness on a worldwide scale. The actions taken by several government and non-government organizations, which affect the expansion of the market under consideration, support this.
Consumption of processed foods high in sugar and other sticky substances has significantly increased due to changing consumer lifestyles and dietary patterns. Plaques and sugar interact to weaken the enamel, making the tooth more susceptible to decay. Consequently, rising oral care product demand is fueling the global market's expansion. As a result of the exponential rise in the burden of various dental diseases worldwide, more oral care products are being used. The most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide are periodontal diseases (gum diseases) and tooth decay (dental caries), which present a severe global public health challenge. Treatment for dental caries is expensive, costing developed nations' healthcare systems between 5 and 10 percent of total spending. The World Health Organization estimates that 2.3 billion people worldwide have dental caries in their permanent teeth, and 530 million children have dental caries in their primary teeth. Additionally, studies show that the senior population's high dental caries rate contributes to the market's expansion.
One of the main issues for consumers has been oral hygiene. One of the essential dental hygiene procedures is flossing. Plaque between teeth is a common site for periodontal diseases, and flossing removes it. Interdental brushes, water flossing, dental picks, pre-threaded floss, and soft picks made of gum are just a few of the many technologically advanced alternatives to dental floss that are more efficient, accessible, and affordable. The British Society of Periodontology advises using small interdental brushes to clean in between teeth where there is enough space rather than flossing, according to an article in City Bridge Dental Implant and Clinics 2019. Therefore, rising interdental brush usage may limit the growth of the dental floss market over the forecast period.
A dental pick, a tiny stick made of plastic or wood, can help get rid of plaque from teeth and gums. The American Dental Association (ADA) advises moistening a wooden pick before using it to make it more flexible. Picks are less effective than floss; one must use a fresh pick for every tooth to avoid contaminating the mouth with bacteria. Therefore, it is anticipated that the market will experience restraint over the forecast period due to the availability of such floss picks.
There are many opportunities in the market because dental floss demand is anticipated to rise soon due to the increased emphasis on oral health, the rise in the geriatric population, growing awareness, and technological advancement in oral care products. In response to increased demand, manufacturers incorporate cutting-edge technology into personal dental water flossers, such as smart sensors for better precision. Key players are also boosting sales by releasing new product variants for cordless individual dental flossers that feature aesthetically pleasing designs and longer battery life. Since that time, floss has developed further. Spongy floss and soft floss have been developed for people with sensitive gums. The use of floss picks increased because they make it simpler to floss between the back teeth and while wearing braces. However, the availability of dental floss in various flavors creates a sizable market opportunity.
| Study Period | 2019-2031 | CAGR | 4.96% |
| Historical Period | 2019-2021 | Forecast Period | 2023-2031 |
| Base Year | 2022 | Base Year Market Size | USD 617.85 Million |
| Forecast Year | 2031 | Forecast Year Market Size | USD 955.21 Million |
| Largest Market | North America | Fastest Growing Market | Europe |
The global dental floss market is segmented by region: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and South America.
North America is the most significant revenue contributor and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.25% during the forecast period. Due to the rising prevalence of dental diseases, accessibility of cutting-edge technologies, well-established healthcare infrastructure, and rising healthcare costs, the United States is anticipated to maintain its sizeable market share. Additionally, over the forecast, the United States market is expected to be driven by rising oral/dental hygiene awareness. Additionally, the number of older adults who need regular dental exams and assistance is increasing steadily. Further, this has aided in expanding the American market under investigation. In the United States, several developments are happening regarding dental floss, including product launches, mergers and acquisitions, and partnerships between significant players predicted to fuel the market's expansion.
Europe is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.51% during the forecast period. The prevalence of dental disorders is one of the main contributors to the growth of the dental floss market in Germany. In Germany, numerous strategic initiatives are being carried out, which are anticipated to accelerate market expansion. The market for treating dental caries is also expanding as a result of out-of-pocket dental expenses. In Germany, households spend 25% of their out-of-pocket healthcare expenses on dental care, according to the OECD's "Out of Pocket Spending: Access to Care and Financial Position," published in April 2019. The market for dental floss is anticipated to grow as a result of the high out-of-pocket spending by consumers on oral care products like dental floss.
Asian consumers' growing demand for specialized oral care products that provide targeted solutions has fueled the market demand. Demand for pricey oral care products has been sparked by rising disposable income and growing dental care concerns. Due primarily to the critical requirement for dental cleaning, toothpaste continues to dominate the oral care market. The dental caries prevalence rate in Japan was 39.0% in 2016, and it increased to 78.0% in 2017 and 82.6% in 2019, according to the study "Dental Caries in Children Under Five Years of Age in Mongolia," published in July 2020. Thus, it is anticipated that the rising prevalence of tooth decay in the nation will cause additional dental problems. During the projected period, this is expected to accelerate market growth.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Oman are the six Arab nations that comprise the GCC. The market is expanding due to the rising demand for dental floss due to the region's rising prevalence of dental disease, which claims that despite improvements in the delivery of oral health services, oral infections, particularly early childhood caries, are the most prevalent among children's illnesses in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The market is expanding due to rising dental floss demand and oral disease rates. Therefore, the rise in dental disease and growing public awareness of the importance of oral and dental hygiene will spur market growth during the forecast period.
Brazil holds a significant market share. The high prevalence of dental diseases, increased technological advancement, the aging population's increased risk of dental diseases, and studies on dental floss are the driving forces behind the expansion of this market in Brazil. Numerous research projects are being carried out in Brazil, which is also anticipated to accelerate market expansion. The prevalence rate of dental caries among 5-year-old Brazilian children was 49.8%, with a 21.2% difference between the prevalence in North and Southeast Brazil, according to a study titled "Regional differences in early childhood dental caries in 5-year-old Brazilian children and associated factors," which was published in January 2021.
The nation's high prevalence of dental caries plays a role in the market's healthy expansion. In Brazil, dental diseases are one of the most prevalent diseases affecting children of low socioeconomic status. They are still regarded as the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, according to a study published in February 2020 titled "System dynamics modeling for tooth decay treatment in Brazilian children." This accelerates the market expansion for dental floss even more.
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The global dental floss market is segmented by product and sales channel.
Based on the product, the global dental floss market is bifurcated into waxed floss and unwaxed floss.
The waxed floss segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.54% during the forecast period. Dental floss that has been waxed typically has a thin coating of wax on its surface, making it simpler to slide between teeth. Compared to unwaxed floss, these flosses are a little thicker and more likely to be flavored. Due to the growing elderly population and rising oral health issues, waxed dental floss is anticipated to hold a sizable market share during the forecast period. Waxed floss provides a smooth flossing experience thanks to the wax layer, and flavored floss helps users maintain fresh breath. These waxed dental flosses have the added benefit of containing enzymes and essential oils, effectively removing plaque. The leading market players also purchase natural wax components to create and sell natural dental floss, primarily composed of three natural waxes: jojoba, carnauba, and beeswax. This is further boosting the market's expansion.
Unwaxed floss is made of hygienic nylon fibers without a wax or flavoring coating. Unwaxed floss is thinner and easier to insert and remove from teeth than waxed floss because it is uncoated. These flosses typically do not contain artificial flavors, and the teeth may be exposed to fewer chemicals. Additionally, due to their non-slip grip properties, the floss can fit into small spaces and are easier to hold. Customers with teeth that are close together should choose this floss.
Based on sales channels, the global dental floss market is bifurcated into retail pharmacies and online.
The retail pharmacies segment owns the highest market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.73% during the forecast period. Retail pharmacies are among the most popular places for consumers to buy over-the-counter products and are frequently their first point of contact with the healthcare system. The growing awareness of oral health issues and the rise in private dental clinics with the accessibility of nearby retail pharmacies are the main drivers behind the growth of dental floss in retail pharmacies. There are typically many over-the-counter dental products available at these nearby pharmacies. In addition, rising household and gross domestic product disposable income, public and private healthcare spending, and the prevalence of oral caries encourage consumers to take better care of their teeth and use dental floss and mouthwash. However, the rise in internet users has encouraged online shopping for oral products. In addition, the free shipping and discounts offered by online sales channels might prevent retail pharmacies from expanding their market share.
Due to the rising popularity of smartphones and other devices with active internet services, the online distribution channel is anticipated to grow during the forecast period. It is simple and convenient for the customer to buy such oral care products thanks to several e-commerce sites and online shopping applications, including Walmart, Flipkart, Amazon, and eBay. A wide variety of products are readily available on online portals, and door-to-door delivery services are anticipated to be good for segment growth in the future. Additionally, rapid urbanization and industrial development in China, India, and other Southeast Asian nations are driving the online distribution channel in the region. The introduction of new products and various mergers and acquisitions are currently taking place, anticipating accelerating the segment's growth.
