A group of New York prisoners filed a 500 million dollar law suit demanding access to dental floss.

While regulations vary around the country, the responding officials said they had to consider security issues.

The security concern arises over a long history of floss related violence in jails and jailbreaks.

The lead plaintiff said the prison was violating inmates federally protected civil rights by denying them access to dental floss, while knowing that cavities will result without it.

The deputy commissioner said the prison is not required to supply floss and that it poses security concerns.

The prison did however, supply floss loops, designed to be a harmless alternative, but the lawsuit has not been dropped.