The average person brushes their teeth 730 times a year which is the equivalent (as the Oral Health Foundation shares) of watching 1,487 rugby matches or the whole run of 236 episodes of Friends 22.9 times during our lifetime!
Brushing is a preventative way to maintain our oral health and is equally as important as our physical and mental health to keep us in tip top condition.
So when it comes to choosing dental care products, what are the benefits of choosing fluoride Vs fluoride-free?
Our natural toothpastes contain no artificial colourings, flavourings, sweeteners or preservatives. Instead, they contain natural ingredients. They are not tested on animals and contain no animal products. They are GM-free, Vegan and made to Halal and Kosher standards.
Kingfisher offer both fluoride and fluoride-free versions.
Typically, the ingredients in natural fluoride-free toothpaste will still clean your teeth, are good at removing plaque and can also help with teeth whitening. Fluoride toothpaste provides an additional layer of protection against dental decay and plaque buildup.
Fluoride in toothpaste is a naturally occurring mineral added to help prevent tooth decay. It strengthens tooth enamel, making it more resistant to acid attacks and helping to reverse early signs of decay. Fluoride also helps speed up remineralization, the process of returning lost minerals to the enamel layer.
Too much fluoride can pose risks to health, but the amount of fluoride in toothpaste is generally safe if a person uses the toothpaste as advised.
Too much fluoride can also lead to dental fluorosis. Fluorosis is a condition that produces a change in the colour of tooth enamel. This discoloration usually manifests as white or sometimes brown spots. Fluorosis usually occurs when children who are in the teeth forming years swallow toothpaste rather than spitting it out.
While fluoride in toothpaste is generally considered safe, there is a larger, ongoing discussion of overall fluoride intake, from water, food, mouthwashes, and other sources. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that people add to water, food, and other products.
The Ark health shop currently stocks Kingfisher, AloeDent, Weleda and Sarakan toothpastes and our most popular brand (Kingfisher) comes with the important Oral Health Foundation approval for the toothpastes containing fluoride.
The level of fluoride in their Mint and Fennel Fluoride toothpastes is 1450 parts per million. Children’s Strawberry Fluoride toothpaste contains the recommended young persons dosage of 1350 parts per million.
Whether you choose fluoride or fluoride-free is a personal choice, yet the use of a natural toothpaste without any nasties is crucial to health.
There are other preventative things you can do to maintain your oral health in addition to brushing your teeth and making visits to the dentist.
Find out more on Lise’s podcast: Why and how to manage your oral health.
