You’ve probably heard a lot of damming things about fluoride. And you’ve also probably heard a lot of talk that it’s fine. As oral-care obsessors, we’ve done a lot of research and come to the conclusion that it’s not at all fine, and we’re better off without it. Especially, when there’s another ingredient that can do all the good things fluoride does, without doing any harm. But more on that later…
FIRST UP, WHY IS FLUORIDE BAD?
Dentists and doctors advise young children and people recovering from treatments like chemotherapy to avoid fluoride in their toothpaste. This is because it is toxic in large doses and associated with increased risks of at least 11 medical conditions. And it gets worse. Fluoride is one of four ingredients in Sarin nerve gas and is also an active ingredient in insecticides, wood preservatives, fungicides and rat poison. This might be TMI, but fluoride works by causing stomach lesions in rats, which results in them bleeding to death. Fluoride is also known to be an endocrine disrupter affecting the bones, brain, pineal gland, thyroid gland, hormones and blood sugar levels. Suffice to say, we thought it was well worth steering clear of, especially once we learned all about hydroxyapatite.
Hydroxyapatite is the main mineral our teeth and bones are made of. It is a proven, safe and entirely non-toxic alternative to fluoride. Not to mention, it has been the gold standard of oral care in Japan for 40 years. Part of the reason it’s so good is that it’s a biocompatible compound and therefore readily absorbed right down to the tooth’s root. And unlike synthetic compounds, it reaches the deepest areas of decay and can rebuild enamel on any tooth surface.
Interestingly, the first medical application of hydroxyapatite was in 1970 by NASA. At zero gravity, bones and teeth lose significant mass; so hydroxyapatite was administered to returning astronauts to help repair and remineralise their bones and teeth. Since then, it’s been making its way into the oral care world, ousting fluoride and proving parity in many clinical trials to date.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Hydroxyapatite particles penetrate below the surface of the enamel, providing replacement calcium and phosphate ions to areas where minerals have dissolved, remineralising demineralised enamel and restoring its integrity and translucent gloss. This means teeth become harder and stronger, while tooth’s surface becomes smoother and white.
SO NOW WHAT?
Until now, many natural toothpastes have not been able to perform as well as their fluoride-filled counterparts. We’re committed to reading all research on all our ingredients and are even conducting testing of our own. In our minds, if we replace a functional ingredient, we need to replace it with something that works just as hard. So if you’re ready to kick fluoride to the curb, and you reach for a natural toothpaste at the store, just make sure it comes with hydroxyapatite.