Brushing your teeth is an important lesson you learn as a child. And for the most part, you likely learned the way most children do. First, you put a dollop of toothpaste on your toothbrush. Then, you gently move the bristles back and forth to “scrub” your teeth. Rather than swallowing the toothpaste, spit it out into a sink and rinse it down the drain with water. This process is simple, and you should repeat it at least twice a day to keep your teeth clean. But as adults, we have more options, which may complicate the process. With different types of toothbrushes and toothpastes, it can be difficult to know which products to trust. At St. Apollonia Dental, we recommend using a soft-bristle brush (electronic if possible) and an FDA-approved toothpaste with fluoride. But many patients want to know: Does fluoride free toothpaste work as well as regular toothpaste?
What Is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring chemical that we typically find in water or foods like grapes, bananas, potatoes, and more.
The word chemical often sends patients into a tizzy, as the connotation makes fluoride seem dangerous. But the truth is, there are chemicals in most things!
Everyday table salt is a naturally occurring chemical, as well as products like vinegar and baking soda. Just because these things are chemicals doesn’t mean that they aren’t safe.
In fact, all foods you eat have some form of chemical makeup, and your liver and kidneys are meant to help digest and detoxify these chemicals.
And in toothpaste specifically, the chemical fluoride helps protect against the formation of cavities. This natural shield effectively keeps bacteria out and repairs early signs of decay, keeping your smile healthy.
Understanding Fluoride Free Toothpaste
Over the years, there has been a big public debate about the safety of fluoride.
Since 1945, some local governments in the U.S. have manually added fluoride to their water supplies. While water fluoridation has never been nationally mandated, many states today require a minimum fluoride level in their water. In doing so, they help protect their people against cavities and tooth decay.
However, some people believe that fluoride is dangerous, leading to adverse effects, especially in children. While the more outlandish claims, like fluoride causing significant drops in IQ and Alzheimer’s disease, have no scientific basis, there is some truth to the danger of fluoride.
In large quantities, fluoride may cause dental fluorosis, which creates large, brown stains that affect your tooth’s enamel. Additionally, some studies are investigating a potential link between cognitive development issues in children and too much fluoride.
That is why some companies have created alternatives, providing toothpaste products without fluoride. With these fluoride free toothpastes, many patients believe they’re protecting their smiles from harm.
But the truth is, at the mandated dose of fluoride in public drinking water and toothpaste, it’s completely safe. It would take a substantially large amount of fluoride to cause any actual harm, far surpassing the average amount of fluoride in water. The same applies to fluoridated toothpaste, which is completely safe to use on your smile.
Does Fluroide Free Toothpaste Work as Well as Regular Toothpaste?
For those who want to switch to a fluoride free toothpaste, we recommend checking in with a professional first.
Not only will we be able to determine if it’s safe for you to do so, but we can also help explain the use of fluoride in your toothpaste.
The American Dental Association (ADA) only gives its seal of approval to toothpastes that contain fluoride. Any toothpaste without fluoride is purely cosmetic, as it offers no protection against cavities or bacteria.
While fluoride free toothpaste may not actively harm your teeth, it does not work as well as regular toothpastes do.
Keep Your Smile Healthy With Fluoride Toothpaste!
Brushing your teeth is a necessary part of oral hygiene, but what toothpaste you use matters. Fluoride free toothpaste doesn’t work as well as regular toothpaste does, and isn’t approved by the ADA. Without the natural protection that fluoride provides, you increase your risk of cavities and decay, even if you brush your teeth regularly.
If you have any more questions on the safety of fluoride toothpaste, visit St. Apollonia Dental in Sterling Heights, MI!
