The use of fluoride in toothpaste has a bad reputation among people who seek a natural and sustainable lifestyle. We are not surprised. There are certain things about this element that are worrying for our health . But the truth is that sometimes, this component is necessary.
Furthermore, there is no consensus in the scientific community about whether or not we should use fluoride in our tooth brushing, which does not help to clear up doubts. Today we are going to try to shed some light on this matter , to clarify some concepts. Still, if in doubt, at Alma Eko, we urge you to consult 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 the number of cavities. Thus, toothpaste manufacturers began to include fluoride in their products because it is very effective against this disease.
In addition, in already formed teeth (from 8 years of age), it helps consolidate calcium in the teeth and the formation of enamel.
CONTRAINDICATIONS OF FLUORIDE
Paradoxically, this capacity of calcium to consolidate, in early exposure or with too much fluoride, can cause stains on the 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 , since it affects the thyroid . Specifically, it decreases iodine in the body. The thyroid cannot function without iodine.
Therefore, in the case of boys and girls, we are faced with two problems . On the one hand, milk teeth and those in the process of formation 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 has drawn up a guide in which it warns that children under 8 years of age, who do not yet have their teeth formed, run the risk of suffering from dental fluorosis.
In addition, in young children we find the condition that they can swallow a good part of their toothpaste . This is when the risk of endocrine disorders increases.
It should also be noted that the prevalence of caries is higher at an early age . With age, the pH of our mouth changes and, with it, the conditions. In general, when we talk about adults, caries problems disappear and others appear, such as, for example, the accumulation of bacterial plaque, which, curiously, protects against caries, but can cause gingivitis.
HOW MUCH FLUORIDE ARE YOU EXPOSED TO?
Another aspect to take into account when making this decision is the amount of fluoride to which we are exposed. The European Union sets a maximum limit of 1,500 parts per million for fluoride in toothpaste and requires manufacturers to indicate if their products exceed 1,000 ppm. Many oral health professionals consider that below these levels, the use of fluoride is completely safe for health.
Continuing with the presentation, we would also like to mention that water fluoridation has been used in countries such as 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 the water, the quantities appear to be very small, according to this study .
But exposure to fluoride doesn't just come from the water we drink or brush our teeth. The food industry uses these waters to produce its food, so we can count on fluoride in our food .
SO WHAT DO I DO?
We must recommend that you consult your dentist . A professional is the only one who can ensure whether the use of fluoride is essential or not in your case. But, in any case, we suggest you think a little and apply common sense .
We encourage you to ask yourself a few questions : Do cavities run in your family? Could it be due to excessive consumption of sugary products? Is brushing frequency adequate?
If you consider that your diet is healthy and you are happy with the number of times you brush your teeth daily, but you still have cavities, you probably need a toothpaste with fluoride.
If someone in your family has cavities and you think a change in eating and/or hygiene habits is necessary, you may need a fluoride toothpaste until these changes are established.
If you are still concerned about exposure to fluoride, especially in the case of children and people with thyroid diseases, you may consider having only one of your daily brushing sessions with fluoride.
KNOW YOUR OPTIONS
At Alma Eko we want you to be able to make informed decisions. In addition to giving you 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 you can find on the market, always keeping in mind that our commitment is to the most natural products possible .
In recent years, many commercial fluoride-free options have appeared that contain some ingredients that have proven to be very effective in oral hygiene . Coconut oil , bicarbonate , white clay and some essential oils, such as tea tree oil, are very common ingredients in natural toothpastes and have proven to be highly effective in antibacterial and antiseptic effects . At Alma Eko you can find various options from the brands Georganics and Ben&Anna , in various formats: toothpastes packaged in glass, toothpaste in tablet or bar form.
If you finally decide on a fluoride toothpaste, the ones that we at Alma Eko consider to be of the best quality, with natural ingredients and, in addition, respectful of the environment, are the fluoride toothpastes from Ben&Anna, with mint or orange flavour . And also the Dent Tabs tablet option .
