There has been a lot of information about toothpaste with fluoride being harmful to people, but in nearly all cases, that is not correct information. Fluoride is an essential mineral your teeth need to remain healthy over your lifetime. Here is some information about why fluoride is important, as well as those few cases where people may need to purchase non-fluoride toothpaste.
About Flouride Toothpaste
Before the 1940s, fluoride was not discussed as a good mineral for your teeth. In fact, research was so overwhelming that fluoride helped keep teeth strong and healthy that it began to be added to municipal water supplies in the late 1940s and toothpaste in the 1950s. Fluoride has been credited with helping people retain their teeth well into their 80s and 90s. Before then, older generations generally lost all of their adult teeth because it was harder to fight cavities and keep tooth enamel strong and healthy.
What Are the Cases When You Should Not Use Flouride Toothpaste?
There are three cases when you should not use fluoride toothpaste. First, if you have children and young toddlers, you should not introduce fluoride toothpaste to your child until they are past their second birthday. That is because if very young children overuse fluoride, it can actually stain their teeth. Instead of using a fluoride toothpaste for young children, select a toothpaste specifically for infants and toddlers.
Another group of people who should not use fluoride toothpaste are people who are allergic to fluoride. The American Dental Association research suggests that less than one percent of adults are allergic to fluoride. If you are allergic to fluoride, you need to look for a non-fluoride toothpaste, and luckily, there are many available that can strengthen and whiten your teeth without the use of fluoride.
Finally, adults who suffer from dental fluoridosis need to find fluoride-free toothpaste. Fluoridosis is a reaction of your teeth to the minerals in fluoride toothpaste, which causes your teeth to become discolored.
Not sure whether you should use a fluoride or a fluoride-free toothpaste? Contact us for more information or to set up an appointment.
About Us | Dentist Battle Ground, WA | Excel Dental Your first step to a healthier, more beautiful smile is just a phone call away! Call Excel Dental in Battleground, WA to schedule an appointment today! Excel Dental - Burke Jardine, DMD, 1401 Northwest 1st St., Battleground, WA 98604 | (360) 369-3930 | exceldentalnw.com | 3/8/2025 | Page Phrases: dentist Battle Ground WA |
There has been a lot of information about toothpaste with fluoride being harmful to people, but in nearly all cases, that is not correct information. Fluoride is an essential mineral your teeth need to remain healthy over your lifetime. Here is some information about why fluoride is important, as well as those few cases where people may need to purchase non-fluoride toothpaste.