[IamJen]

Okay, I've long been a big believer in the benefits of fluoride on teeth. I know that too much can be harmful to teeth, but I'm reading that smaller amounts still yield positive results wrt tooth decay.

I'm having trouble finding vegan toothpaste with fluoride here at the local HFS. I've managed it a couple of times, but they primarily stock non-fluoride varieties.

I know several seemingly normal, mainstream type folks who are against using fluoride, but when I got to the 'net, I only seem to find these whacked-out, everything-except-water-is-bad-for-you hysterical conspiracy theorists.

So, what are your thoughts? Do you use fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash, etc.?

Please note...I really don't wish to discuss fluoride in water systems, etc. as I think that's a whole separate (and less interesting

) issue

 

[thephnee]

i was lucky enough to stock up on dr. ken's brand vegan flouride toothpaste. i've had recent problems with cavities and my dentist recommended a fluoride mouthwash. since i didn't even use fluoride toothpaste, i thought it's time to get some (still can't find vegan mouthwash with flouride)

i understand the fear of consuming too much, but as someone who only drinks filtered or spring water i doubt i'm at risk. i wish more toothpaste companies who don't test on animals would include a flouride version in their line.

 

[rabid_child]

I don't see any reason NOT to use flouridated toothpaste.. It's not like you swallow it. I haven't noticed any of the "natural" brand toothpastes at the co-op to have flouride though. *shrugs*

 

[joyinc]

i've only been able to find the tom's of maine one, i know there is some controversy with that company, but the only other kinds offered around me are the mainstream ones that have been tested on animals

 

[Bonoluvr]

we use the toms of maine with fluoride, and the kids use the kiddy version they have with fluoride.

 

[Obladiblada]

I use Tom's of Maine. My brother is a dentist and he uses fluoride toothpaste. So I guess according to the Ohio State University College of Dentistry, fluoride is okay.

I did have a dentist before tell me that I shouldn't use toothpaste, or just use a very small amount, which I do anyway, but he said it was because it is abrasive and I have thin enamel.

 

[GhostUser]

I personally do not use toothpaste with fluoride, but I wouldn't be extremely opposed to using one with it. I just prefer without. I still get a "fluoride treatment" at the dentist's office, so I'm assuming that's enough.

 

[echowarrior]

As a pp mentioned Tom's of Maine has the flouride in it...

Our family drinks a healthy amount of flouridated water so I prefer to use the non-floidated 'paste. My daughter is really big into brushing her teeth but doesn't yet know how to spit (she's 20 months) so I make SURE that she uses flouride free toothpaste.

We looove the mint free (tea tree) peelu... it's great for sensitive teeth!

 

[jeff_veg]

If anyone wants to know the ugly truth about fluoride, I would highly recommend the following book, which takes a balanced, scientific, and rational approach to unraveling the story of how fluoride came to be in our drinking water.

http://www.amazon.com/Fluoride-Decep...e=UTF8&s=books

The findings:

- Fluoride is a toxic by-product of big industry, the main source being aluminum and fertilizer plants. You are drinking diluted toxic waste.

- The benefits to your teeth from ingested fluoride are nil, and has actually been shown to cause health problems. The benefits to your teeth from topical fluoride are debatable, and certainly not as great as big industry claims.

- Studies have shown that high doses of fluoride act as a neurotoxin.

- It goes on... read the book if interested.

Personally, I still use fluoride toothpaste sometimes, mostly because I figure if it's in the water I drink daily, a little extra won't kill me any faster.

 

[GhostUser]

Really? Tom's has tons, it's actually been harder for me to find a decently priced natrual toothpaste w/out fluoride. I'm pretty sure they're all vegan too.

 

[Music Girl]

From what I understand, calcium flouride is good for teeth, but there is another kind of flouride (maybe potassium flouride - I forget, don't flame me if I'm wrong) that has been linked to lots of health problems, including alzheimers disease. Unfortunately, it is this cheap, bad kind of flouride that is found in most flouridated drinking water.

Next time I buy toothpaste (we're currently using a non-flouride one) I'll probably find a brand that uses calcium flouride, because my husband has soft teeth and can use the extra help. We will continue to avoid our tapwater like the plague, however. The articles I read (serious ones, not the wacky quacky internet scare site ones) pretty well convinced me that the particular kind of flouride they use in tapwater should be avoided.

I wish I could quote my sources, but I've completely blanked on where I read this information at. Maybe vegnews or time, newsweek? I can't remember....

 

[catswym]

i use fluoride toothpast and rinse, and i wouldn't ever not. there is also at least one type of JASON toothpast that has fluoride but i mostly just use mentadent. if i use natural ones too much my gums start getting really bad.

 

[Spidergrrl]

We don't use flouride because we didn't feel comfortable using something that told you to call poison control if you swallow too much.

That said, we currently use Aloe Dent by Optima which is flouride free and seriously minty. So good that you can feel it clear your sinus cavity as you brush. We use Wake Up with Ginsing, guarana, CO-Q10, aloe vera, tea tree, vitamin K, peppermint and menthol.

I AmJen--At our local HFS you can buy Kingfisher brand toothpaste that comes with and without flouride. I tried it but it wasn't minty enough for me. I saw today that the fennel flavour is with flouride....but I don't like fennel.

And as for Tom's of Maine---many use propolis which is bee derived so if you don't do the whole honey/beeswax thing you might not want Tom's.

 

[Vera82]

I use fluoride toothpaste, it's usually recommended in Finland and kids get fluoride treatment at school regularly. I do like Yotuel Pharma toothpaste (spanish brand) which has licorice taste, brightens teeth with papaine enzyme and has vitamin B5 in it. It's good for tender gums and problems with mouth ulcers (which I have both). However it doesn't taste that fresh, so I sometimes use just plain supermarket toothpaste. I also sometimes use Retardex mouthwash. I buy both from our local pharmacy.

 

[Fyvel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spidergrrl

And as for Tom's of Maine---many use propolis which is bee derived so if you don't do the whole honey/beeswax thing you might not want Tom's.

I always wondered why they labelled their toothpaste as free of animal products, despite having propolos in it

 

[meatless]

We have both fluoride and non-fluoride toothpastes. I use the fluoride toothpaste a couple times a week, but otherwise use the non-fluoride kind.

 

[Jessica Alana]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fyvel

I always wondered why they labelled their toothpaste as free of animal products, despite having propolos in it

I think I read that they stopped doing that.

I have some toothpastes without fluoride (ecodent powder & Kiss my face) and some JASON nutrismile with fluoride. I also get fluoride treatments at the dentist.

 

[IamJen]

sg...we had been buying Kingfisher w/fluoride both at our local HFS and at Waitrose, but they both stopped selling it recently. It turns out the HFS was just out temporarily because of some Christmas ordering delays, so I picked some minty one up yesterday.

Tom's did stop labelling "animal free" awhile ago (it's only some non-fluoride ones that have propolis), but who knows what's happened after Colgate took over.

 

[Obladiblada]

The Tom's toothpaste I have (spearmint) does not list propolis in the ingredients. It says that it was made without animal ingredients and was tested without the use of animals.

 

[Lothar M Kirsch]

I use toothpaste with fluoride as most toothpastes contain fluoride here in Germany.

Spidergrrl: fluoride is toxic, but you have to ingest larger amounts like water that has been fluoridized or sodiumfluoride (against osteoporosis - if you take it too long the bones don't gat stronger but only briskier and heavier, the result is called fluoridosis of the bones).