What is the permissible level of fluoride content in toothpaste?

Soldatova Lyudmila Nikolaevna

Candidate of Medical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Clinical Dentistry of the St. Petersburg Medical and Social Institute, Chief Physician of the Alfa-Dent Dental Clinic, St. Petersburg

For many years, every second person in the street was convinced that a good toothpaste must certainly contain fluoride. Our grandparents stubbornly insisted on the importance of this element. But is fluoride really necessary in toothpaste, or does the harm of this microelement still outweigh its benefits? Let's try to figure it out.

The history of fluoride in toothpastes

Fluoride was first used in toothpastes more than 100 years ago, in 1914 in the USA. At the beginning of the 20th century, scientists found that this element is an excellent protection against caries and its use reduces the rate of tooth decay by an average of 30-45%. Under the influence of fluorine, enamel became resistant to acids and more durable.

Why is fluoride needed in toothpaste?

Surprisingly, the same element can be both healing and destructive to the body. And fluoride is just that: the substance can both restore and strengthen tooth enamel, and cause irreparable harm to it. It is thanks to fluoride that the strength of bone tissue in the body is maintained; this element plays a key role for the health of hair, nails and teeth. Fluoride is very important in the growth and development of a child: without it, his skeleton does not develop normally.

In addition, fluorine has a beneficial effect on metabolism: without this element, the body cannot remove heavy metals. The substance also helps absorb iron and supports immunity.

When there is a lack of fluoride in the body, bones and teeth are the first to suffer. Bones bend, become brittle and brittle, and in the event of a fracture they heal very slowly. With a lack of fluoride, the enamel gradually becomes thinner, it is increasingly affected by plaque bacteria, and caries develops faster and faster.

In fact, it is not difficult to provide the body with its daily requirement of fluoride. Products high in this substance include:

• a variety of fruits, such as grapefruits and apples;
• nuts;
• dairy products;
• various types of meat (especially liver);
• various vegetables - pumpkin, spinach, potatoes;
• buckwheat and oatmeal porridge;
• honey;
• any types of tea.

By drinking enough water per day and eating right, you can provide yourself with fluoride. Therefore, the need for toothpastes with fluoride should only be determined by a dentist. As a rule, fluoride products are prescribed to smokers and people who abuse coffee.

How much fluoride does a person need and what foods contain it?

The daily dose of fluoride required for an adult is 0.03 mg/kg. During the period of formation and growth of the skeleton, the child’s body needs a larger amount - 0.15-0.1 mg/kg.

You can get this microelement from foods that are present in your daily diet:

• fish (the best source is mackerel, pollock, cod);
• all types of meat and offal;
• dairy products;
• raw nuts: walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts;
• fruits and vegetables (pumpkin, grapefruit, apple);
• mushrooms (ceps, chanterelles).

A balanced diet allows you to get fluoride from foods that are always in the refrigerator.

Pros of fluoride toothpastes

Many people specifically choose hygiene products with fluoride to strengthen their teeth and prevent the development of caries. Indeed, in some cases, this element protects the enamel from the action of harmful bacteria and strengthens it. Under the influence of fluoride, less acid is released, which affects the enamel. Therefore, anti-caries toothpastes often contain fluoride.

The main benefits of fluoride toothpastes include:

• antiseptic effect;
• improvement of metabolism;
• improvement of the remineralizing effect of saliva;
• stimulation of the salivary gland;
• inhibition of the transformation of soft plaque into tartar.

Is fluoride harmful or beneficial?

So, fluoride is an actively used component in most toothpastes. This substance reduces the likelihood of developing caries and strengthens the enamel. Complete refusal from at least periodic use of fluoride-containing toothpastes increases the rate of caries development by about a third and contributes to the development of tartar and plaque.

The most effective compounds containing fluoride are amino fluoride and sodium fluoride, therefore, when choosing a paste in the store, you should carefully look at what exactly is included in its composition.

During cleaning, fluoride, unless, of course, the paste is intentionally swallowed, does not enter the bloodstream.

Fluoride-containing pastes should not be used:

• young children, as they often swallow the paste;
• residents of regions where the amount of fluoride in water significantly exceeds the norm (for example, this is observed in Odintsovo, Krasnogorsk, Tver, Serdobsk, Yegoryevsk and other settlements).

For other categories of people, fluoride does not pose any threat.

Sometimes you can hear opinions that fluoride is not just harmful, but even dangerous. The only harm that can be caused by excess fluoride is provoking the development of fluorosis, and even then the disease affects exclusively children whose teeth have not yet begun to erupt. There are no proven cases of the development of fluorosis from the use of pastes: the disease is detected only in children living in regions with the amount of fluoride in drinking water above 1 mg per liter.

You can find many articles online, the authors of which claim that fluoride is extremely dangerous. However, there is no evidence of this.

Harm of toothpastes with fluoride

Unfortunately, many of us forget that toothpaste is not the only source of fluoride. This element is found in many foods and even in ordinary tap water.

Before you buy even the best toothpaste with fluoride, it is important to understand your need for this element: its daily intake should not exceed three milligrams. In order to get this dose, it is enough to drink two liters of water a day.

For a person who eats right and drinks enough water, it is not at all necessary, and often even harmful, to use toothpastes with fluoride. The fact is that this element in excess amounts is toxic to the body. The substance accumulates in tissues, including tooth enamel. If too much fluoride accumulates in it, fluorosis appears, the process of destruction of enamel.

Fluorosis is very easy to recognize. The disease manifests itself as white spots on the surfaces of the teeth. These spots grow quickly, turn yellow and begin to corrode the enamel. In case of fluorosis, it is important to start treatment as soon as possible - remineralizing therapy, photophoresis or the use of special applications.

Often, teeth with fluorosis require additional whitening, because it is almost impossible to cope with such a problem with the help of professional cleaning.

Without fluoride against caries? Hm…

Let's figure out how caries forms and start with the composition of tooth enamel. Most of tooth enamel is the mineral hydroxylapatite. This is an impure form of hydroxyapatite, which does not mean dirty teeth; from a chemical point of view, it is an impure compound. In order to better understand all this, you need to remember what a mineral is. A mineral is a salt or a compound of ions, like sodium chloride = table salt or calcium carbonate = scale on a kitchen faucet. Hydroxylapatite also consists of several ions: calcium, phosphate and hydroxide, which together form a crystalline chain. Sometimes other ions come to visit this crystalline chain, for example, carbonate or fluoride ions. In other words, even in such a strong material as a mineral, ions can replace each other.

Once again: our teeth are a mineral that consists of ions.

Indications for the use of fluoride pastes

Of course, in some cases, toothpastes with fluoride will be useful to patients, but, as we have already said, only a dentist should prescribe them. The specialist will assess the condition of the enamel and oral cavity, and then determine whether the teeth have enough fluoride and what kind of toothpaste they need.

Therapeutic toothpastes with calcium and fluoride are indicated for use if the patient has:

• signs of dental demineralization;
• poor enamel resistance to acids;
• fragility of teeth, tendency to chip;
• minor signs of caries.

The fluorides contained in such toothpastes create a thin protective layer on the crowns. All substances hazardous to enamel do not penetrate it and their negative impact is reduced several times. Incoming fluoride, when it is deficient in the body, slows down the proliferation of bacteria and, accordingly, the development of caries. The likelihood of gum inflammation is also reduced.

When is it used?

It is common to use fluoride, which produces sodium monofluorophosphate, as an element of a therapeutic course for osteoporosis. The substance is recommended both for people suffering from the steroid type and for those for whom the risks of such a pathology are assessed above average. Fluoride compounds can be taken by patients with primary osteoporosis of various natures, including the idiopathic form, in which the etiology of the case cannot be established. Fluoride compounds are prescribed to prevent caries in people of any age, as well as as part of a therapeutic course for local osteopathy. Fluoride supplements are recommended if the water a person drinks contains less than 0.6 mg/ml fluoride.

Consequences of excess fluoride in the body

Do not forget that fluorine is, first of all, a toxic substance. It is added to toothpastes only in the form of compounds that can release active ions. The pastes contain sodium fluoride, sodium monophosphate, as well as tin and aluminum fluorides, and amino fluoride.

When fluoride enters the body of an adult in excess quantities, the following problems may begin:

• disruption of metabolic processes and, as a result, destruction of bones and teeth;
• disruptions in the functioning of the endocrine system;
• liver and kidney diseases;
• increased blood pressure;
• decreased immunity.

Surprisingly, translated from Greek, the word fluorine means “destroying.” Fluorine compounds in the gaseous state are deadly. And fluorites, often added to toothpastes, are considered one of the most harmful substances for the body.

If you use fluoride paste constantly, without apparent need, the following changes may occur in the oral cavity:

• damage to the enamel, the appearance of stains on it;
• fragility of teeth;
• increased sensitivity of teeth.

Water fluoridation

Saturation of water with fluoride ions is the practice of most countries in Europe and the post-Soviet space. By drinking about two liters daily, you can fully provide your body with this microelement.

But there are also opponents of fluoridation. First of all, a negative attitude towards the saturation of water with microelement ions is associated with the accumulation of fluoride in the body. They are difficult to remove and can have negative effects in the future. It is important to understand the saturation level of the water. Fluoridated water poses a real health hazard only when toxic fluorine compounds are used or the microelement concentration exceeds 1 mg/l of water.

Children's toothpastes with fluoride

Children's toothpastes should absolutely not contain fluoride, despite the fact that this element is necessary for growing organisms. Fluoride is added only to toothpastes for children and adolescents over 5 years of age. The thing is that young organisms perceive various components much more strongly and are many times more susceptible to fluorosis (excess fluoride).

So, now you know the benefits and harms of fluoride in toothpastes. You should not decide on the use of such means on your own. Only an experienced dentist should prescribe pastes with fluoride and calcium.

To avoid the need for medicinal pastes, take good care of your teeth and be attentive to your body. Do not get carried away with coloring products, coffee, tea and sweets. For dental health, the absence of bad habits, proper, balanced nutrition and daily thorough hygiene procedures are important.

An excellent tooth support product is ASEPTA “Remineralization” professional toothpaste with high concentrations of hydroxyapatite and thermal mud. This remedy restores tooth enamel, reduces the sensitivity of teeth and gums and accelerates the regeneration of the oral mucosa.

Features of different forms of sodium

If you examine the compositions of modern toothpastes, you will notice that they contain various components containing sodium. Their benefits for human health differ. For example, sodium monofluorophosphate, as it became clear during experiments, decomposes quite slowly. Doctors recommend brushing your teeth for no more than a couple of minutes, and this time is usually not enough for free fluoride ions to form. Therefore, compared to some other substances, sodium monofluorophosphate is less effective.

Sodium fluoride is known for its remineralizing properties. When using this compound, free ions are generated very quickly, which guarantees the effectiveness of the substance.

The remineralization quality of amino fluoride is even better. This compound generates a film on the tooth surface that supplies fluoride to the tooth for a long time, which ensures tissue strengthening. Toothpastes containing this substance are considered the most effective and efficient preventive agents for preventing caries.

Clinical researches

Clinical studies have proven that regular use of professional toothpaste ASEPTA REMINERALIZATION improved the condition of the enamel by 64% and reduced tooth sensitivity by 66% after just 4 weeks.

Sources:

1. Report on the determination/confirmation of the preventive properties of personal oral hygiene products “ASEPTA PLUS” Remineralization doctor-researcher A.A. Leontyev, head Department of Preventive Dentistry, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor S.B. Ulitovsky First St. Petersburg State Medical University named after. acad. I.P. Pavlova, Department of Preventive Dentistry
2. Study of the clinical effectiveness of treatment and prophylactic agents of the Asepta line in the treatment of inflammatory periodontal diseases (A.I. Grudyanov, I.Yu. Aleksandrovskaya, V.Yu. Korzunina) A.I. GRUDYANOV, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Prof., Head of Department I.Yu. ALEXANDROVSKAYA, Ph.D. V.Yu. KORZUNINA, asp. Department of Periodontology, Central Research Institute of Dentistry and Maxillofacial Surgery, Rosmedtekhnologii, Moscow
3. Clinical studies of antisensitive toothpaste “Asepta Sensitive” (A.A. Leontyev, O.V. Kalinina, S.B. Ulitovsky) A.A. LEONTIEV, dentist O.V. KALININA, dentist S.B. ULITOVSKY, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Prof. Department of Therapeutic Dentistry, St. Petersburg State Medical University named after. acad. I.P. Pavlova

It is forbidden!

Sodium monofluorophosphate will become a source of harm if it is used by a child under six months of age. For systemic use, fluorides are prohibited if a person has kidney or liver diseases and dysfunction of these systems. You should not take fluoride in food if a peptic ulcer localized in the intestines or stomach has worsened. The period of childbearing and lactation also becomes a limitation. Fluoride should be used with caution in children under fourteen years of age.

Connection Features

Currently, in industry, sodium monofluorophosphate is mainly used for the production of toothpastes. In this case, an active free ion is generated during the hydrolysis reaction that occurs when brushing teeth. The more acidic the environment, the faster this chemical reaction will occur.

Pastes containing sodium monofluorophosphate are especially actively advertised both by manufacturers and as part of social programs aimed at improving public health. It is not difficult to use such therapeutic and preventive products for cleaning the oral cavity, their price is no different from other products, and the benefits are obvious.

For industrial use, sodium monofluorophosphate is obtained by treating silver, ammonium monofluorophosphates or neutralizing monofluorophosphoric acid. It is noted that the industry needs to refine the methods for producing the chemical, since all the methods available today do not produce an insufficiently pure product.

What are the dangers of fluoride deficiency and excess?

Low fluoride content weakens tooth enamel, making it more susceptible to tooth decay. But excess fluoride is more dangerous than its deficiency. The teeth and bones are the first to suffer - they become fragile. Metabolic disorders, blood clotting and other serious health problems can also be observed.

So, at the moment, science has not proven the harm of fluoride-containing toothpastes, but there are many facts indicating their benefits. Which toothpaste should you choose for quality dental care? Your dentist will recommend the best option based on the current clinical situation, your complaints and wishes.