The present invention is a dental floss comprising a dental floss substrate comprising at least one strand of polymeric material and an amount of a tartar control agent sufficient to retard the growth of tartar on at least one surface of human teeth. The tartar control agent comprises a salt of at least one alkali metal cation and at least one phosphorus-containing anion, preferably tetrasodium pyrophosphate. The phosphorus-containing anion is preferably present in the floss in an amount of at least about 7 mg per yard of floss, and more preferably, in an amount of at least about 9 mg per yard of floss. The tartar control agent is typically applied to the dental floss substrate with a coating composition comprising a coating polymer. The floss may further contain one or more additives such as flavorants, abrasives, lubricants, anti-caries agents, antimicrobials, antibiotics, antioxidants and desensitizers. The floss of the present invention was shown to retard the growth of tartar when used as part of a regular oral hygiene regimen.
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