The benefits of sodium fluoride toothpaste. And is it safe?

Benefits

Fluoridated toothpaste is made by adding sodium fluoride monofluorophosphate, stannous fluoride, and other fluoride compounds in toothpaste. It can improve the level of fluoride in the oral cavity and the surface of teeth, which can persist for more than 10 hours after tooth brushing. Moreover, sufficient evidence-based studies and basic research have shown that fluoridated toothpaste is a practical and feasible measure to control dental caries.

Fluoride can form a reservoir of calcium fluoride or can be taken in and develop fluorhydroxyapatite (HA), which can re-mineralize early enamel caries. The crystal layer of HA can make the enamel more stable and difficult to dissolve. Calcium fluoride can store fluoride ions in neutral or lower PH conditions and release fluoride ions so as to increase the concentration of ions in the demineralization centre and reduce or even control the demineralization of enamel. The formation of calcium fluoride on the surface of the enamel can persist for a long time. When the pH of the tooth surface decreases to lower than 6, this calcium fluoride can release fluoride ions and finally form HA, which promotes re-mineralization.

In short, It’s added to toothpaste and water supplies because fluoride can help:

prevent cavities

strengthen weakened tooth enamel

reverse early tooth decay

limit the growth of oral bacteria

slow the loss of minerals from tooth enamel

Fluoride toothpaste contains a higher concentration of fluoride than fluoridated water, and it’s not meant to be swallowed.

Safety

While fluoride in toothpaste is generally considered safe, there is a larger, ongoing discussion of overall fluoride intake, from water, food, mouthwashes, and other sources.

The International Association of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT), which advocates against the use of added fluoride in water and products, lists the following health problems which it associates with fluoride consumption:

acne

cardiovascular problems, including high blood pressure, cardiac insufficiency, and myocardial damage

diabetes

Low Fertility Rates and early puberty in Girls

osteoarthritis, temporomandibular joint disorder, and bone cancer

immune system complications

lower IQ

cognitive deficits, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and neurological deficits

thyroid dysfunction

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