Slate Dental Inc. has grown its operations from a South Hill garage just two years ago to launching its mini dental flosser product in 844 Target Corp. stores nationwide, marking a significant retail milestone for the Spokane-based dental-technology company.

Slate Dental CEO and co-founder Brynn MacLennan says she and her team of eight employees traveled to a Target store in North Spokane on Feb. 22 for the Slate Mini Flosser’s official debut, only to find the product was out of stock. 

“Spokane showed up so well for us that we were sold out when we went,” MacLennan says. “We were like, we need to make sure they restock that store.” 

The Mini Flosser sells for $9.99 and is considered an entry-level product priced for all demographics, MacLennan says. In Spokane, the Mini Flosser is currently sold at the Target at Northpointe Plaza, at 9770 N. Newport Highway.

On March 20, the company will launch a third dental flossing device, the Origin Flosser, a battery-powered model priced at $79.99. The company also offers a  rechargeable model, dubbed the Pro Flosser, which comes with three speeds and sells for $129.99. 

Media coverage of Slate Dental, which does business as Slate Flosser, has also buoyed the company’s profile with articles and recommendations in platforms such as Buzzfeed, Forbes, Huff Post, CNN, and Goop, the wellness and lifestyle brand founded by actress Gwyneth Paltrow.

The Journal last caught up with MacLennan in 2024 when Slate Flosser was still operating out of her home. After launching its electric flosser on Amazon.com Inc., Slate Flosser was on the cusp of major growth, reporting over $1 million in annual revenue for 2023 and over $3 million in revenue for 2024. MacLennan declines to disclose subsequent annual revenue figures, but says the company has grown over 250% in the past two years. 

In late 2024, Slate Flosser moved out of MacLennan's garage into a 5,000-square-foot office at the former Spokane Fire Station No. 1 building at 418 W. First, between Stevens and Washington streets. The company also occupies warehouse space within the former Spokesman-Review building, MacLennan says.

While Slate Flosser’s expansion marks a significant turning point, MacLennan says the mission behind the company has always centered on improving oral health. The importance of flossing — and the health risks of neglecting it — was the focus of a TEDx talk MacLennan delivered on Jan. 31 at Gonzaga University.

“We all have been told we need to floss, but no one really understands why,” MacLennan says. “It’s just not something that people have made a priority. That’s why we invented our product.”

MacLennan says her passion for improving oral health comes from learning how closely gum disease is linked to broader health conditions throughout the body.

“When your gums bleed, the barrier is broken, and bacteria can enter the bloodstream in seconds,” she says.

Research has linked poor gum health to a range of health risks. Regular flossing has been associated with a reduction in ischemic stroke, while untreated gingivitis — which affects 60% to 75% of pregnant women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — has been connected to preterm birth and low birth weight, she says. 

Gum disease can also complicate diabetes, as inflammation in the gums can worsen insulin resistance while high blood sugar can further inflame gum tissue, creating what MacLennan describes as a “vicious cycle.”

Other research has suggested that people with chronic gum disease may face a higher risk of cognitive decline, noting that gum disease increases dementia risk by 70%, she says.

The connections between oral health and the rest of the body have also impacted people close to MacLennan. A family friend died from endocarditis, a heart infection that can develop when bacteria enters the bloodstream through the mouth.

“She left behind eight children. … That was a defining moment for me,” she says. “It showed me that oral infections do not just steal teeth. They can steal mothers, and they can steal futures.”

Looking ahead, MacLennan says she’s excited about the company’s future growth as it prepares to launch a new product and expand into more retail options. More importantly, she’s driven to help educate on the importance of flossing and prevent increased health risks by making flossing easy and accessible.

“We are so excited about the opportunities,” MacLennan says. “We really want to help reduce those health effects. … We want to give people a tool that helps them complete the cleaning in their mouth.”