When it comes to oral care, fluoride is such a commonly used ingredient. Yet most of us don’t know much about why it goes into our toothpastes. What is fluoride and why is it necessary in our dental care practices?
If you’re reading this, you’re probably concerned about where fluoride comes from, whether it’s essential, and whether you should explore the option of going fluoride-free. Or maybe, you’ve already made the switch to an all-natural toothpaste that doesn’t contain any fluoride, and you’re wondering whether there are any benefits in a fluoride-free regimen.
Whatever your reason, we’re going to give you a quick understanding of this everyday ingredient and the impact it has on your body.
So What Is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a trace mineral, the 13th most abundant element in the earth’s crust, which can be found in all mineralized tissues of the body, such as bone, enamel, and dentin. It is also found naturally in water, soil, plants, and animals. Although fluoride is chemically a highly reactive substance, it has a history of safe use. It has been used successfully as an anticavity ingredient in the past, and it has known advantages when it comes to healing teeth stains.
The benefits of fluoride were first discovered in 1930, when it was observed that communities consuming naturally fluoridated water suffered less tooth decay than those consuming non-fluoridated water. The mineral was introduced to the world of dentistry soon after, and first made an appearance in our toothpastes.
Over the years, however, there has been debate over whether the toxicity of fluoride can affect us on a daily basis. We decided to explore whether fluoride is indeed a toxic substance, and whether it has any adverse effects on us, especially if the ingredient is the first thing we use every morning during our brushing routines.
Why Is Fluoride Considered Toxic?
According to the fluoride poisoning data collected by the American Association of Poison Control (AAPC), a major source of toxicity is the ingestion of toothpaste containing fluoride as an ingredient. This is followed closely by the ingestion of fluoride supplements and mouthwashes.
Although there is still a lack of data when it comes to the problems of fluoride toxicity, fluoride has multiple ways of reacting within your body. It is known that when fluoride comes in contact with moisture, hydrofluoric acid is formed and this acid burns tissues. Fluoride can affect physiological nerve function because of its chemical dynamics, and can inhibit certain enzymes required for the proper functioning of your body’s cells. It can react with oxygen in your body, affect your metabolic function, and unsettle your gastric lining.
Such issues have much larger consequences in the long run. Depending on whether the toxicity caused by the ingredient is chronic or acute, it can cause a host of negative results for the person concerned.
Fluoride Vs Fluoride-Free: What’s Better?
The best thing we can do today is educate ourselves about what fluoride really is, where it comes from, and how it is formulated into our dental products. This can help us make an informed choice when it comes to keeping a fluoride or fluoride-free toothpaste at home for our families.
The first thing to remember is that total fluoride dosage plays a huge role in determining how toxic the ingredient can get for any individual. The safe daily dose of fluoride in our products is still being actively scrutinized, but for your basic wellbeing, the lower the dose in your toothpaste, the better it is for you.
The second crucial thing about fluoride is that the impact of its toxicity varies from person to person. In a study by the American Association of Poison Control (AAPC), the highest proportion (more than 80%) of the cases of fluoride toxicity were reported in children below the age of six. This may have been due to a higher rate of ingestion of toothpaste containing fluoride.
Therefore, whatever the reason for ingesting the ingredient, it can have a negative impact on your body. Even if you can’t eliminate all sources of synthetic fluoride from your daily life, you can opt to make a conscious reduction in its use and consumption, all for the health and wellbeing of those around you.
What’s Different About A Natural Toothpaste?
We all wonder whether it really is worth it to make the switch to a natural toothpaste. We all have the same questions - is it really necessary to ditch fluoride as an ingredient when it comes to oral care? So many natural toothpastes are formulated with fluoride, so why make the switch at all?
For starters, any reduction in the dosage of fluoride in your toothpaste makes a huge difference to the functioning of your body. Dental health is so important to us, and it’s one of the primary reasons why most of us don’t make the switch to natural formulas. However, research shows how toxic excessive fluoride can be in the long-run, and so dropping it for a while can make a really great difference to your body.
Although fluoride helps with cavity prevention, there are alternative approaches to maintaining good dental health and hygiene. You can keep your teeth healthy, strong, and clean with a plant-derived toothpaste, too. It really is possible to fight cavities, bacteria, and plaque buildup without the use of fluoride.
Today we have so many alternative dental products in the market that it’s super easy to read, research, and learn what’s best for you and your family. So take the time out and figure out what works for you.
Honestly, there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to what suits you the most. At Arata, we want the best for our customers, which is why we chose to formulate a toothpaste with all-natural, plant-powered extracts and absolutely no fluoride.
We understand that fluoride has immense benefits for your teeth, but our belief is to ditch the toxins in every sphere. Our toothpaste is a fluoride-free, vegan, anti-bacterial recipe of peppermint, cinnamon, and chamomile extracts, formulated to give you strong, fresh, and healthy teeth and gums.
Our cooling ingredients prevent tooth decay, soothe your gums, and keep your breath fresh. So really, it is possible to find incredible benefits and protection for your teeth and gums without the use of fluoride! At the end of the day, our focus is to provide you with high-quality, all-natural alternatives for great oral health that serve you positively over time.
You can read more about Arata’s vegan personal care products here: www.arata.in