Many health experts agree that the sodium fluoride added to water supplies and toothpaste is toxic and should be avoided. This is why toothpastes with fluoride have a warning on them advising to call poison control if more than a small amount is swallowed.
The Problem of Fluoride in Toothpaste
According to the Fluoride Alert website, “Just one 1 gram of fluoride toothpaste (a full strip of paste on a regular-sized brush) is sufficient to cause acute fluoride toxicity in two-year old child (e.g., nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea).
That could explain why the FDA had to require manufacturers to put a poison warning on every tube of fluoride toothpaste now sold in the US.
Here is what that poison warning reads:
“WARNINGS: keep out of the reach of children under 6 years of age. If you accidentally swallow more than used for brushing, seek professional help or contact a poison control center immediately.”
Most of the toothpastes sold in the US contain fluoride. It is a known fact that the use of fluoride in toothpaste, particularly during early childhood, presents health and cosmetic risks. It doesn’t help that one of the fastest ways to absorb anything into the body is through the mouth.
Why is fluoride in toothpaste?
Great question. Because fluoride acts as an enzyme inhibitor, it is believed to help prevent cavities by literally poisoning the bacteria in your mouth. If only it were that easy! By poisoning the bacteria in your mouth, you are also poisoning other cells as well because fluoride is toxic.
“Fluoride inhibits enzymes that breed acid-producing oral bacteria whose acid eats away tooth enamel. This observation is valid, but some scientists now believe that the harmful impact of fluoride on other useful enzymes far outweighs the beneficial effect on caries prevention…Nevertheless, agreement is universal that excessive fluoride intake leads to loss of calcium from the tooth matrix, aggravating cavity formation throughout life rather than remedying it, and so causing dental fluorosis. Severe, chronic and cumulative overexposure can cause the incurable crippling of skeletal fluorosis.”?- UNICEF, Dec 1999
There are many more health problems to having fluoride in toothpastes than the few I’ve listed above, including kidney damage and cancer. For more information about fluoride in toothpastes and water, check out my health article titled Fluoride and Its Effect on Our Health and Our Teeth.
This is the first part of a series of blogs about oral care. Tomorrow, I will share with you some great fluoride-free toothpastes that I have tested and love for various reasons.
I do not use flouride toothpastes. My favorites are Tom’s, but I’ve also used Trader Joes toothpastes on occasion.
I’m glad to hear it Alana. Thanks for stopping by!
I still use fluoride toothpaste. I will have to look at changing that. I did not know that and appreciate you sharing this post. Great information and now it is time for a new toothpaste. Can’t wait for you post tomorrow!
Thanks Katrina for stopping by. I am glad you’re looking into alternatives. I just saw that Israel will no longer add fluoride to their water as of 2014. I think you’ll love some of the toothpastes I am going to share tomorrow. Have a great evening.