Is it good to have fluoride in toothpaste

Basically, the toothpaste we are using contains fluoride. Fluoride is actually very effective in preventing tooth decay, but if there is too much fluoride, it will cause poisoning to the body. It is not possible to generalize whether fluoride in toothpaste is good or not. For children, it is better to use fluoride-free toothpaste.

What is the function of fluoride toothpaste?

Fluoride plays an important role in the formation and structure of teeth and bones, as well as the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus. An appropriate amount of fluoride can form an acid-resistant protective layer on the surface of teeth, increase the hardness of teeth, and improve their acid resistance. It can also inhibit lactobacilli in the mouth, reduce the acidity produced by the decomposition of carbohydrates, and play a role in preventing tooth decay.

Is it really good to use fluoride toothpaste for a long time?

Although fluoride toothpaste has a protective effect on teeth, long-term use may cause adverse effects on the human body. If the human body absorbs excessive fluoride, it will cause fluoride poisoning. The main symptoms are dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis.

1. Dental fluorosis

Excessive fluoride content is harmful to the human body, especially to children who are in their growth and development period. The most common clinical manifestation is dental fluorosis, which usually occurs in infancy and childhood. Children have poor self-protection abilities and are prone to accidentally swallowing children's toothpaste, which not only irritates the stomach and intestines, but also causes problems such as dental fluorosis.

2. Fluorosis

The main clinical manifestations of skeletal fluorosis are pain in the waist and leg joints, joint stiffness, bone deformity, and symptoms and signs of compression of nerves and spinal cord. When the disease is serious, the joint spine is fixed, the spine is scoliotic, the back is hunched or the limbs are stiff, making it difficult for the patient to take care of himself. People with compression of the spinal cord or spinal nerves may experience numbness, decreased sensation, decreased muscle strength in the limbs or lower limbs, a feeling of being restrained in the trunk, pain, and in severe cases, limb paraplegia.

When using fluoride toothpaste, you need to pay attention to the following:

1. People in high-fluoride areas are not suitable for using fluoride toothpaste.

In some areas of our country, such as Chaoshan area and areas with many coal mines in Shanxi, the groundwater itself contains high levels of fluoride. Local residents drink this water that has not been treated for defluoridation, and long-term excessive intake of fluoride causes chronic poisoning. People in these areas should no longer use fluoride toothpaste.

2. Children should use fluoride toothpaste with caution.

It is difficult for young children to control the behavior of accidentally swallowing toothpaste when brushing their teeth. Long-term accidental swallowing will cause excessive intake of fluoride, leading to the occurrence of fluorosis. Therefore, it is recommended that children use fluoride-free toothpaste on a regular basis, and only use fluoride toothpaste occasionally and under the guidance of their parents.

3. Use fluoride toothpaste and other toothpastes alternately:

After using fluoride toothpaste for a period of time, you can alternate with other functional toothpastes, and try to avoid using the same toothpaste for a long time.