As one of the most contentious issues surrounding additives today, fluoride in toothpaste and drinking water sure can cause a headache…..well it could do…….quite literally!

Whilst on one side of the debate there are the dentists advocating the use of fluoride is essential in order to safeguard our teeth from cavities.   Whilst reading other reports citing fluoride as causing many medical issues ranging from gastrointestinal disorders, osteoporosis, mouth sores, rashes & headaches to forms of arthritis to more serious concerns such as cancers and neurological complaints.   One major problem that is not denied by either party to the debate is dental fluorosis.   This is a distinct pitting and mottling of the teeth caused by too much fluoride, but how do you know if you are getting too much?

All the above you may have heard before, but one new thing I have found out just recently is that there are in fact many different types of fluoride.   How sure can we be that the type found in our toothpaste, mouthwash or water is not the one that is a waste product of the fertilizer industry?

But, for me the most worrying aspect of all is the warnings on the toothpastes aimed at children under 7.    “Supervised brushing” and “Do Not Swallow” should strike fear into the hearts of all parents.   In fact since 1997, all toothpastes containing fluoride in the U.S. are mandated to contain a warning similar to: "WARNINGS: Keep out of 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."

There is a huge array of differing information available regarding the inclusion of fluoride in our toothpastes, mouthwashes and water supply and each argument seems as compelling as the next.   It’s no wonder there is so much confusion out there.

My decision to give up conventional toothpaste in 2006 was as a result of my allergic reaction to Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) rather than a concern over the addition of fluoride.   But as a direct result of my continuing allergies, I developed a thirst for finding out more about what went into our skincare products and toiletries.   SLS is in everything that foams, and whilst I could see why it would be in such things as shower gels and shampoos, I was quite incredulous at just why it should be found in toothpaste, do I really need my mouth to foam!!!???

Do you suffer from mouth ulcers?

My absolute favourite is the Miessence Mint toothpaste and you may wonder why I don’t currently stock it in the shop or on the website.   It’s actually down to price, at £6.99 for a tube it could be considered a little on the expensive side…….however, a tube of the Miessence will last my husband & I at least 3 times as long as any other toothpaste we’ve tried, so it’s actually cheaper in the long-run.   This fabulous toothpaste is manufactured in Australia and so there is the air miles situation to consider, so I always try to source it from within the UK, and if I can’t then I bulk buy.   Why do I like it?   Whilst swapping to a natural toothpaste (like any new natural product) takes a period of adjustment and most are very different to conventional toothpastes, so it takes a while to get used to them. However, this toothpaste leaves my whole mouth feeling really refreshed and so so clean.  

Which is a good job really as I am quite fanatical about my teeth being clean.   Visits to my dentist, like many others, fill me with a real dread and stomach crunching agony.   I go only so my children can be registered.   We’ve been at our current practice for around 8 years now, so Simon (our dentist) knows me and my family’s teeth really rather well by now.   Our latest check-up just over a week ago filled me with the usual anxiety, which was relieved immediately we saw Simon.   Another reason I make the 50 mile round trip is he puts the children at ease so effortlessly. He even remembered the conversation he’d had with my eldest son six months previously about his career path, and they garbled on about racing cars and the current F1 crisis!    Still, if Simon ever muttered the immortal words, you need a filling, or anything similar, I’d be up and out of that chair faster than a hare in the mating season!   A series of ghastly encounters with the dentist as a child had put me off forever, and as soon as I was old enough not to visit the dentist I stopped going…….that was until I had kids.   The thought occurred that I couldn’t pass on this trepidation of dentists, so I once again enrolled.  

Of course the switch to natural toothpaste 3 years ago did worry me a little, I didn’t know whether my teeth would deteriorate and wondered whether I might be pulling my own teeth out by the time I reached 40.   But, so far (touching wood), all has gone remarkably well.   In that three years I haven’t had a single thing done, just my 6 monthly check-ups, and we parted this last check up with the words “whatever it is you are doing, keep doing it as it’s working well”, and no lectures on using a toothpaste with fluoride in……..ahhhh, music to my ears!!

If you are at all worried about the ingredients in your toothpaste then checkout some of the information we have found below.   And perhaps you may find that switching to a 100% natural toothpaste won’t be as bad as you may have thought. If you would like to try the Miessence toothpaste, do get in contact with us, and we will source you a trial size to try.  

Author: Nicola, Founder, Organ-Nics.

Further information:

http://www.trufax.org/catalog/fluoro.html

http://www.aroma-essence.com/research-reports/fluoride.html