Are There Any Benefits to Fluoride-Free Toothpaste?

You may have heard things about fluoride from your dentist or your toothpaste brand, but what is fluoride really, and what does it do? Fluoride is more important than you might think.

What Is Fluoride?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in soil, water, and air. In the early 1900s, fluoride was discovered to have benefits to dental health. Communities with high levels of fluoride in their drinking water were found to have significantly fewer cavities among adults. However, the children’s adult teeth grew in with rough brown spots.

Since then, it has been discovered that too much fluoride can cause fluorosis for young children who still have their baby teeth. Fluorosis is most recognizable by rough brown stains in adult teeth.

Fluoride and Children

Fluoride toothpaste is safe for children in an amount about the size of a grain of rice, in case they accidentally swallow it. Ingesting more than a rice-sized amount could cause fluorosis in a child. If your child is still learning to not swallow their toothpaste, you can use a fluoride-free toothpaste to clean their teeth and prevent fluorosis at the same time.

Fluoride and Adults

Adults are advised to use a fluoride toothpaste because of the benefits of fluoride. It protects your teeth, strengthens your enamel, and prevents cavities. If you are allergic to fluoride, you can use a fluoride-free toothpaste and still have healthy teeth. It is possible to consume a sufficient amount of fluoride through your foods and drinks; in this case, speak with your dentist or physician to determine if you are getting enough fluoride.

To learn more about fluoride or fluorosis, call or stop by Ridge View Dental. We are happy to assist you!