Why You Shouldn't Buy Fluoride-Free Toothpaste

Why You Shouldn't Buy Fluoride-Free Toothpaste:

The Missing Strength in "Natural" Products

When it comes to oral hygiene, regular brushing and flossing are only parts of the comprehensive care your teeth need.

Dentistry experts warn that some consumers are swapping fluoride toothpastes for fluoride-free alternatives, drawn to them by online sources or stores that market "natural" products.

Edmond Hewlett, a professor of restorative dentistry at the University of California, Los Angeles, expresses concern to Healthline, stating, "I worry that individuals opting for these products are missing out on the proven benefits of fluoride in preventing decay. As a healthcare professional, my primary concern is the health and well-being of my patients. I want them to benefit from the best that dental science has to offer, and fluoride's protective effects on teeth are scientifically proven."

What is Fluoride?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in most water sources like lakes, rivers, and oceans.

For the past 70 years, most public water supplies in the United States have been fluoridated. When added to toothpaste and other dental products, this mineral strengthens tooth enamel, the hard surface layer, helping to prevent decay.

Studies have shown that the presence of fluoride in public water systems reduces tooth decay in children and adults by at least 25%.

Despite strong evidence supporting fluoride's oral health benefits, some consumers opt for alternatives marketed as effective despite lacking fluoride.

A search on the popular shopping site Amazon reveals several fluoride-free toothpastes with slogans like "don't choose between natural and effective," accompanied by consumer reviews that reveal a fear of fluoride.

One customer writes, "Most antibacterial toothpastes contain harmful ingredients like fluoride, triclosan, and calcium chloride. We ingest too much poison just by brushing our teeth annually."

However, Hewlett clarifies that fluoride in toothpaste is not only safe but also a natural component, stating to Healthline, "Fluoride is a naturally occurring element, nature's cavity fighter. Specific fluoride compounds proven to prevent decay and approved by the FDA for cavity prevention are added to toothpaste in FDA-approved amounts."

Experts suggest that a misconception about fluoride's safety among some consumers may contribute to the preference for fluoride-free products.

Although fluoride-free toothpastes are marketed as a safer and more effective way to maintain dental health, Hewlett asserts that no other ingredient comes close to fluoride's benefits.

"Seventy years of research prove fluoride prevents cavities," he says. "No other toothpaste ingredient has such a history. That's why dentists have been recommending fluoride toothpaste to their patients for decades."

Selecting The Right Toothpaste

When selecting the right toothpaste, dentists have a simple, common recommendation.

"I tell all my patients to look for a toothpaste that has earned the ADA Seal of Acceptance. If a product has the ADA seal, it has been tested and proven to be safe and effective," says Matthew Messina, a dentist in Ohio and spokesperson for the American Dental Association (ADA).

In the United States, all toothpastes proven to be safe and effective in preventing decay and maintaining optimal oral health bear the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

According to the ADA, only toothpastes containing fluoride can earn such a label, and only after providing scientific evidence of the product's safety and efficacy.

In addition to fluoride, ADA-approved toothpastes may not contain decay-causing sweeteners and can include active ingredients that help whiten teeth, reduce sensitivity, prevent enamel erosion, and decrease gum inflammation and tartar formation.

Messina emphasizes that even if you brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day, using a fluoride-free toothpaste, marketed as natural or safe, is not advisable.

"Just because something is 'natural' doesn't mean it's effective in preventing cavities. Brushing with a fluoride-free toothpaste won't help prevent decay," he says.

When do cavities occur?

Cavities, also known as tooth decay, occur when the hard outer layer of the teeth breaks down. Teeth are constantly covered in a sticky layer of bacteria called plaque. When a person consumes foods or drinks containing sugar, the bacteria in the plaque produce acid that attacks the tooth's hard outer layer, gradually destroying it. This process eventually leads to the formation of small holes in the tooth, known as cavities.

Fluoride helps by strengthening tooth enamel and aiding in the rebuilding of enamel that has been attacked by acid, thereby reversing early signs of tooth decay.

Edmond Hewlett emphasizes the clear evidence supporting fluoride's effectiveness and safety, stating, "The best available scientific evidence shows that there is no link between the recommended amount of fluoride used to prevent dental decay and any harmful effects."

"Fluoride, at optimum levels found in toothpaste and community water supplies, is safe and effective. Like any parent, I want my child to be healthy, which is why I have ensured they benefit from fluoride's advantages from the emergence of their first milk teeth and ever since."