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Fluoride or No Fluoride Toothpaste
I’ve seen toothpastes that advertise that they don’t have fluoride. This lead me to wonder why wouldn’t you want fluoride in your toothpaste? Is it bad for you?
Benefits of Fluoride Toothpaste
Did you know that some cavities are reversible?
I learned about this through a YouTube video. According to Dentist Dr. John Yoo, it depends on the depth of the cavity.
Your teeth has 3 layers. The enamel, which is the outer layer, has the capability to remineralize. If the the cavity is within the enamel, it is technically reversible.
What can you do to help reverse it? 1) Limit sugar intake, and 2) use fluoride toothpaste.
Although the enamel is the hardest substance in your body, it does wear down and require patchwork. The fluoride in the toothpaste essentially patches up the lost minerals in the enamel. By doing so, it protects your teeth from cavity by making your teeth strong and more resistant to cavity-forming acids.
What should I look for when shopping for a fluoride toothpaste?
Look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance, because 1) it contains fluoride, 2) it does not contain flavoring agents such as sugar that cause or contribute tooth decay, and 3) it has met pre-specified requirements for safety and efficacy.
If you want to check if your toothpaste you’re using has that ADA Seal of Acceptance, you can product search here: https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/ada-seal-of-acceptance
I’ve never paid attention to this until now. If you are curious, I am currently using the Crest Gum & Sensitivity, which has the ADA seal of acceptance.
I recently got the Natean Clean + Sensitivity Relief with Fluoride Soothing Mint, because there was an Ibotta offer.
The new eco-conscious toothbrush brand Natean was developed at Alacer Corp., a subsidiary of the maker of Sensodyne — GlaxoSmith Kline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare.
Even though it has fluoride as one of the active ingredients and has association with reputable toothpaste like Sensodyne, it doesn’t have the ADA…
