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Fluoride or no Fluoride?
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Fluoride or no Fluoride?
An interesting question came up during an earlier IMA webinar on oral health and its impact on whole-body health:
“I know an anecdote of one doesn’t tell us very much, but I have a friend who didn’t use fluoride toothpaste and lost many of his teeth in his 50s. He eats a natural diet and flosses regularly.”
Dr. Hibberd has come back with an answer:
“Regarding your friend who has lost many of his teeth in his 50s, the primary driver is most
likely advanced periodontal disease, periodontitis. By the time people reach their mid 40s to
50s, the causes for tooth loss typically shifts from dental decay and its complications to
periodontitis becoming the leading reason, or co-dominant reason in most population studies.
Decades of plaque driven inflammation gradually destroys supporting bone and periodontal
ligament. Teeth become so mobile they sometimes exfoliate on their own or demand extraction.
This can happen in clusters once the supporting structures reach a critical level of destruction.
Other contributing causes for your friend may include:
– Long standing untreated or incompletely treated caries
– Smoking, which is a big contributor to worsen periodontal breakdown
– Diabetes or other systemic conditions that amplify inflammation
– Reduced saliva, from medications, which increases caries and periodontal risk.
– Heavy grinding or occlusal overload on already compromised teeth.
Using non-fluoride toothpaste is not considered a contributing factor in tooth loss happening to your friend in his 50s.
The choice for toothpaste is yours to make. I do not promote fluoridated toothpaste. Currently I recommend Xilitol toothpastes.
Making your own toothpaste is doable. The only concern is to be cautious with the frequency of using abrasive contents that may rapidly whiten teeth but cause abrasive loss of enamel over time.”
Do you use fluoride toothpaste?
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5 Replies
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I haven’t used any toothpaste in decades, so no fluoride, and I have all of my teeth and healthy gums. I’m 75 years old. My routine: electronic, soft bristle toothbrush upon rising and before bed, sometimes after meals; rinse brush head in tap water before brushing and after brushing, rinse mouth with tap water; floss several times a week; go to dentist once every 4 or 5 months for a cleaning. My teeth are stained from drinking tea: every blue moon (once or twice a year) I use baking soda on the stains. My dentist says that he wishes he had my teeth.
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I am a 67 year old healthy female. I haven’t used fluoridated toothpaste for 20 years and have refused fluoride treatment at my dentist for longer. A dentist many years ago told me that fluoride doesn’t work on adults anyway so I stopped it. I have very healthy teeth and gums and my present dentist keeps remarking on how good my mouth hygiene is. I use an electric toothbrush and non-fluoridated toothpaste at least twice a day. I have had a water pik type of appliance which I use on and off. I floss at least once a week (probably should do more often). I eat a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and take many supplements. As a child, my parents were very strict with our dental hygiene and made us brush our teeth at least twice a day (in those days it was with fluoridated toothpaste), and dentist visits included a fluoride treatment.
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Yes, with SODIUM Fluoride and NOT STANNOUS Fluoride. My guru, Dr. Ellie, recommends Crest and strongly discourages flossing. Flossing below the gum line destroys the gum/tooth bond that prevents bacteria, etc. from getting to the tooth bed and capillary system.
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Thanks @shortstop Dr. Ellie is a hero to many. How long have you been following her methods and have you seen results?
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I’ve been using Dr. Ellie’s system about six months and see a significant improvement in my gums. I think her suggestion not to floss below the gum line was most relevant for me. Hopefully that is helping to moderate my bone loss and, along with the multiple antibiotic rinses, will prevent the loss of any more teeth. Time will tell but I’m liking what I’m seeing.
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