Yahoo Lifestyle Is It Safe To Use Fluoride-Free Toothpaste?
Fluoride, a naturally occuring mineral found in many foods and water, has been a primary ingredient in toothpaste since the 1970s. Despite being widely regarded as safe by the Food and Drug Administration for decades, it has been making headlines recently due to statements made by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who claimed that fluoride is associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders and thyroid disease.
Does this mean that we shouldn’t be brushing with toothpaste containing fluoride after all? Since Kennedy Jr. notably isn’t a dentist, we fact-checked the claims by talking to a dentist who is intimately familiar with how fluoride impacts the body.
Why Is Fluoride In Toothpaste, Anyway?
Almost all toothpastes you’ll find on the market contain fluoride. How did it become such a popular ingredient? “Fluoride is in toothpaste because peer-reviewed scientific evidence shows that fluoride helps prevent cavities by strengthening the enamel, which makes teeth resistant to acids produced by bacteria in the mouth,” says Dr. Amber Bonnaig, DDS, the Georgia-based Dental Director at DentaQuest.
In one scientific study, children between the ages of 8 and 15 who used topical fluoride on their teeth for six months had a significant improvement in oral health compared to the group of kids who didn’t use topical fluoride.
What about those claims about fluoride negatively impacting health? Scientific studies show that high amounts of fluoride can weaken bones, but it’s important to note that this is only when fluoride is consumed in high amounts; it’s unlikely that using toothpaste with fluoride would lead to this. As for the claims that fluoride negatively impacts brain health, this again is only when fluoride is consumed at high levels and more research needs to be done to confirm this connection.
Related: This Super-Common Health Issue Is Associated With Heart Disease, Cardiologists Say
What Happens If You Use Fluoride-Free Toothpaste?
Perhaps the claims are still worrisome enough to you that you are considering swapping out your go-to toothpaste for a fluoride-free one. What does a dentist think of that? Dr. Bonnaig says there are times when it’s not a bad idea. “Fluoride-free toothpaste is available as an option for people who are allergic or sensitive to fluoride. Also, it is a good option for young children who have yet to learn to spit or who have a habit of swallowing toothpaste, which can increase the risk of dental fluorosis, or white spots on the tooth,” she says.
To this point, it’s important to remember that toothpaste isn’t meant to be swallowed. Brushing your teeth correctly allows the fluoride to work its magic on your teeth before you spit it out. Dr. Bonnaig adds that using fluoride-free toothpaste isn’t dangerous. “Fluoride-free toothpaste can still clean your teeth, remove plaque and freshen breath. Some options may be able to prevent cavities with other beneficial ingredients such as xylitol, which prevents the bacteria that cause cavities from growing in your mouth. It, too, has an optimal daily amount to ensure it is effective but doesn’t cause digestive upset or other side effects,” she says.
Though using fluoride-free toothpaste isn’t dangerous, Dr. Bonnaig says it does make getting cavities more likely since you’ll be missing out on an ingredient that strengthens and protects teeth. She explains that using fluoride-free toothpaste will still remove the plaque on your teeth, but it doesn’t make enamel stronger, the way toothpaste with fluoride does. “Without it, enamel on your teeth will break down, making you more susceptible to cavities, gum disease, expensive restorative dental treatment and even tooth loss over time,” she says.
Related: This Simple Nighttime Habit May Lower Dementia By 31%, According to Study
Dr. Bonnaig says that, like with almost everything else in life, the key when it comes to fluoride is using it in moderation. Using too little means missing out on its benefits, but using too much can be toxic. “Fluoride in an excessive amount can cause fluorosis of the teeth, fluorosis of bones, thyroid disease and oxidative stress. But manufacturing controls are in place in the U.S. to ensure safe fluoride levels in over-the-counter products such as toothpaste and mouth rinses,” Dr. Bonnaig says.
As Dr. Bonnaig pointed out, there are protective measures in place to make sure the amount of fluoride in oral health products and drinking water is well below a toxic level. Additionally, Dr. Bonnaig says that it’s only necessary to use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and that most people use too much!
In general, the benefits of toothpaste with fluoride outweigh the risks. “Fluoride toothpaste is a relatively easy way to combat the impact that bacteria can have on your physical health and your future wellness,” Dr. Bonnaig says. She explains that oral health is connected to overall health, including lowering the risk of heart conditions, pneumonia, brain health, diabetes and other serious conditions because the bacteria in the mouth that cause cavities and gum disease can travel throughout the body.
Unless you have a sensitivity to fluoride (or are a child who tends to swallow their toothpaste when brushing), not only is it safe to use toothpaste with fluoride, it’s what your dentist will recommend.
Up Next:
Related: There's a Surprising Connection Between Oral Health and Mental Health—Here's What to Know
Sources
Dr. Amber Bonnaig, DDS, Georgia-based Dental Director at DentaQuest
Fluoride. Cleveland Clinic.
Fluoride toothpastes and fluoride mouthwashes for home use. Acta Medica Academica. 2013.
The Role of Fluoride on Caries Prevention. National Library of Medicine.
Impact of Fluoride on Dental Health Quality. Materia Socio Medica. 2015.
Association Between Osteoarthritis and Water Fluoride Among Tongyu Residents, China, 2019: a Case-Control of Population-Based Study. Biological Trace Element Research. 2022.
Too much fluoride can damage bones, teeth. NBC News. 2006.
Impact of fluoride on neurological development in children. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. 2012.
Fluoride Exposure: Neurodevelopment and Cognition. National Toxicology Program. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
