The use of fluoride in toothpaste has a bad reputation among those seeking a natural and sustainable lifestyle. No wonder. There are certain properties of this element that are concerning for our health . But the truth is, sometimes, this component is necessary.
Furthermore, there's no consensus in the scientific community about whether or not we should use fluoride in our teeth brushing, which doesn't help clear up any doubts. Today, we'll try to shed some light on this matter and clarify some concepts. Still, if you have any doubts, we at Alma Eko urge you to consult with a trusted oral health professional.
BENEFITS OF FLUORIDE
The greatest advantage of fluoride is that it is a powerful anti-cavity agent . During the 20th century, as the consumption of sugary products increased, so did cavities. Thus, toothpaste manufacturers began including fluoride in their products because it is highly effective against this disease.
In addition, in already formed teeth (from 8 years old), it helps consolidate calcium in the teeth and the formation of enamel.
CONTRAINDICATIONS OF FLUORIDE
Paradoxically, this calcium-binding capacity, in the case of early exposure or excessive fluoride exposure, can cause staining of teeth and damage to the enamel . This phenomenon is called dental fluorosis .
Another major problem is that, in high concentrations, fluoride can become an endocrine disruptor , as it affects the thyroid . Specifically, it reduces iodine in the body. Without iodine, the thyroid cannot function.
Therefore, in the case of children, we find two problems . On the one hand, baby teeth and those still forming do not seem to be prepared for exposure to fluoride. This is why many professionals advise against its use until the age of 8. This is the case of the Official College of Dentists and Stomatologists of Catalonia , which developed a guide warning that children under 8 years of age, who do not yet have their teeth formed, are at risk of suffering from dental fluorosis.
Furthermore, young children often swallow a large portion of their toothpaste . This is when the risk of endocrine disorders increases.
It should also be noted that the prevalence of cavities is higher at younger ages . With age, the pH of our mouths changes, and with it, the conditions. Generally, by the time we reach adulthood, cavities begin to disappear, and others appear, such as the accumulation of bacterial plaque, which, interestingly, protects against cavities but can cause gingivitis.
HOW MUCH FLUORIDE ARE YOU EXPOSED TO?
Another aspect to consider when making this decision is the amount of fluoride we're exposed to. The European Union sets a maximum fluoride limit in toothpaste of 1,500 parts per million and requires manufacturers to indicate if their products exceed 1,000 ppm. Many oral health professionals consider fluoride use to be completely safe below these levels.
Continuing with the presentation, we also want to mention that water fluoridation has been used in countries like the United States as a way to combat tooth decay in populations with a high prevalence of this disease. This is not the case in Spain, where, although fluoride is added to water, the amounts appear to be very small, according to this study .
But fluoride exposure doesn't just come from the water we drink or from brushing our teeth. The food industry uses this water to produce its food, so we can count on fluoride in our food .
SO WHAT DO I DO?
We recommend that you consult with your dentist . A professional is the only one who can confirm whether fluoride use is essential in your case. But in any case, we suggest you reflect a little and use common sense .
We encourage you to ask yourself some questions : Does cavities run in your family? Could it be due to overconsumption of sugary products? Is your brushing frequency adequate?
If you consider your diet to be healthy and you're happy with the number of brushings you do daily, but you have cavities, you probably need a fluoride toothpaste.
If a family member has cavities and you think a change in eating and/or hygiene habits is necessary, you may need a fluoride toothpaste until those changes are made.
If you're still concerned about fluoride exposure, especially for children and people with thyroid conditions, you might consider having only one of your daily brushing sessions contain fluoride.
KNOW YOUR OPTIONS
At Alma Eko , we want you to be able to make informed decisions. In addition to providing you with all the information in this article and encouraging you to consult with qualified professionals, we also want to provide you with information about the different options available on the market, always keeping in mind that our commitment is to the most natural products possible .
In recent years, many fluoride-free commercial options have appeared that contain some ingredients that have proven to be very effective in oral hygiene . Coconut oil , baking soda , white clay and some essential oils, such as tea tree oil, are very common ingredients in natural toothpastes and have demonstrated great antibacterial and antiseptic effectiveness . At Alma Eko you can find several options from the Georganics and Ben&Anna brands , in various formats: glass-packaged toothpastes, and tablet and bar toothpastes.
If you finally decide on a fluoride toothpaste, the ones we at Alma Eko believe are the best quality, with natural ingredients and also environmentally friendly, are Ben&Anna's fluoride toothpastes, in mint or orange flavors . We also offer Dent Tabs in tablet form .
