Toothpaste
Fluoride
| Source |
ppm |
| drinking water fluoride (ideal) |
1 |
| toothpaste fluoride |
1,000 - 1,500 |
| Gel-Kam, Omni Gel |
1,000 |
| Prevident (Rx required) |
5,000 |
| office strength (Rx required) |
9,000 |
Fluoride in the drinking water is only for teeth that are
still forming (until age 16). It is built into the tooth.
Fluoride in toothpaste and fluoride treatments are for the surfaces of teeth
- and definitely work to prevent decay.
Dietary Fluoride Supplement Recommendations
Fluoride ion level
in drinking water (ppm)*
|
| Age
| less than
0.3 ppm
| 0.3 - 0.6 ppm
| greater than
0.6 ppm
|
| Birth - 6 months |
None |
None |
None |
| 6 months - 3 years |
0.25 mg/day** |
None |
None |
| 3 - 6 years |
0.50 mg/day |
0.25 mg/day |
None |
| 6 - 16 years |
1.0 mg/day |
0.50 mg/day |
None |
* 1 part per million (ppm) = 1 milligram/liter (mg/L)
** 2.2 mg sodium fluoride contains 1 mg fluoride ion.
It is suggested that only children living in non-fluoridated areas use dietary
fluoride supplements between the ages of six months to 16 years. Your physician
or dentist can prescribe the correct dosage for your child based on the following
considerations:
- Level of fluoride in your drinking water. If the fluoride level is
not known, it should be tested first. State and local health departments
can provide information on testing drinking water for fluoride levels.
- A complete fluoride history should include all the your child's sources
of fluoride. Don't forget all water sources (drinking water, juice, etc.).
- If your child is to benefit from the cavity protection that dietary
fluoride supplements can provide, long-term use on a daily basis is required.
| Toothpaste (with baking soda) |
% baking soda |
| Peroxicare Tartar Control |
51% |
| Crest |
20% |
| Colgate |
12% |
| Mentadent |
5% |
Baking soda is very low on abrasion (even plain baking soda is less abrasive
than Crest or Colgate). It's primary function is to kill bacteria; however,
at least 26% baking soda is required. Only Arm & Hammer Multi-Benefit Peroxicare
toothpaste has enough at 51% (the only toothpaste I recommend).
Tartar Control
Tartar control works. The tartar control ingredients cannot remove tartar,
they only prevent it - about 40-50% reduction in the amount of tartar. Even
for the tartar that may form, it is much less tenacious when tartar control
is used all the time.
Tartar is hardened plaque germs. It is more beneficial to prevent tartar
from even forming by removing plaque completely by brushing and flossing
effectively (see Dry Brushing).
Tartar is not the main problem, in fact, you can even have healthy gums with
tartar present, it's just more difficult to do. The plaque germs that adhere
to the rough tartar are the main problem. Tartar is also what stains, not
teeth. No tartar, no stain*.
* Over years teeth do in fact pick up some color internally and this is what
tooth bleaching is designed to address.
Toothpaste Without SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate)
Some people are sensitive to a common ingredient in most toothpaste called
sodium lauryl sulfate that can cause canker sores. An excellent toothpaste
without SLS for people sensitive to SLS is Biotene. Arm & Hammer Dental Care
tooth powder also does not contain SLS.
Desensitizing Toothpaste
Desensitizing toothpaste works if used regularly. It helps block microscopic
pores on the root surface. Also, it will take 4-6 weeks to feel results.
A hint to speed the desensitizing process is to place a small amount of desensitizing
toothpaste on the exposed root surface when you are done brushing and rinsing. |
