By Aspen Dental
Are There Any Benefits to Fluoride-Free Toothpaste?
Recently, many companies are releasing new “natural” toothpastes advertised to reduce the harsh chemicals to which our bodies are exposed. Unfortunately, most of these natural toothpastes don’t contain fluoride, an ingredient proven to prevent and fight tooth decay. What, then, are the benefits of fluoride-free toothpaste?
If you have a child with teeth that are not fully developed yet, they should be using a fluoride-free toothpaste. Children under the age of two are still learning how to properly spit, therefore, they may swallow most of their toothpaste. If they ingest too much fluoride from their toothpaste, they can develop fluorosis, which causes brown or white spots on the teeth. It can also cause the teeth to feel rough. Fluoride-free toothpastes are safer to ingest accidentally, and they won’t cause fluorosis. Around the age of two to three, children usually learn not to swallow their toothpaste, but it is still recommended for them to use a fluoride-free toothpaste until they have all their permanent teeth.
Fluorosis only occurs in young children who still have baby teeth, so it’s not a concern for adults. After you have all your permanent teeth, you should be using a toothpaste containing fluoride. In older children and adults, fluoride is known to not only prevent acid from weakening tooth enamel, but it also strengthens enamel and prevents plaque. If you are allergic to fluoride, ask your dentist what fluoride-free toothpaste they would recommend.
If you have more questions about fluoride-free toothpastes, feel free to contact Aspen Dental of Cache Valley.
