Fluoridated Toothpaste vs Ayurvedic Toothpaste: Why Going Fluoride-Free Is Better for Your Child

A good rule of thumb is to start your children on a regular brushing routine.  While brushing at least twice a day is recommended for proper dental care, the ingredients in conventional pastes stir up a bit more controversy. That is why millions are choosing fluoride free toothpaste.

But you may ask, why avoid fluoride in paste?

The health risks associated with fluoride make it one of the most contentious ingredients present in conventional pastes. Fluoride is an anti-cavity active ingredient available in several over-the-counter (OTC) products. Excessive fluoride intake leads to toxicity and other adverse effects; hence, no fluoride pastes are recommended.

“It’s important for parents to carefully supervise their children’s use of such fluoride dentifrices and to keep them out of reach of children, especially the little ones under the age of 6. ” (2) says, Dr Rohan Virani, a Dentist, MDS(OMMFR) MIFL(GERMANY), AFFLIATE ICOI. Hence, , OTC products and dentifrices that contain fluoride should be stored and used according to the recommendation and should be monitored in children.(1)

How is Ayurvedic toothpaste better than fluoride toothpaste?

Herbal or Ayurvedic toothpaste has been made with the goodness of many Ayurvedic ingredients. These Ayurvedic herbs are renowned for their efficacy and have been used for centuries. These ingredients provide relief from many oral health concerns, such as:

• Bleeding gums

• Reduce plaque and gingivitis

• Provide gentle cleaning

• Ingredients such as fennel offer a distinctive flavour and fresh breath.

• This reduces abrasion in the teeth.

Let us understand the health implications of excessive fluoride intake:

Fluoride accumulates in the human body over time. While adults retain about 36% of fluoride, children retain about 50%. 

The other reason to choose a non fluoride toothpaste is the potential risks associated with the use of fluoride, which include the development of fluorosis, which may occur when excess levels of fluoride are ingested by children during tooth development. 

These days, no fluoridated toothpaste for children is widely available in the market. In addition, swallowing reflex is not very well developed in children.  

All these factors cause small children to ingest fluoride at a level that can cause fluorosis and make it difficult for the parents to estimate the amount swallowed. The ingestion of excessive amount of fluorinated paste in children also leads to toxicity and contributes to other serious health implications.

“Even though modern parents are aware of the importance of brushing teeth, twice a day, their knowledge about using fluoride dentifrices in children is insufficient. Most parents are neither aware of the proper amount of dentifrice that should be applied on a toothbrush, nor familiar with the type of paste their children should use. It’s best to avoid fluoride and other chemicalised pastes in first place. Choose a fluoride free paste that contains only herbal ingredients, keep up a spot-on your kid’s dental routine and you will not have to worry about fluoride”, says Dr. Virani. This calls for purchasing the best fluoride free paste on the market.

Today, many products containing fluoride are available as prescription and over-the-counter items. New fluoride products are entering the marketplace at an increased rate, including pastes and other fluoride-containing products.

Understanding the Impact of Fluoride on Children

Children today are particularly sensitive, and numerous studies over the years have shown that fluoride may be harmful to them in the long run; therefore, switching to a fluoride free toothpaste is essential. Fluoridated toothpaste can potentially pose a danger to children and lead to:

• Discolouration: Excessive fluoride can lead to dental fluorosis. This may cause discolouration. 

• Intake of fluoride for an extended period of time can lead to severe stomach issues and nausea. 

• Skeletal fluorosis: Overexposure to fluoride can lead to skeletal damage. Excessive fluoride can affect joints and bones. 

What are the benefits of using Ayurvedic toothpaste?

Ayurvedic toothpastes like Vicco Vajradanti paste are made with multifaceted ingredients that have been used for generations. These ingredients are often used in remedies for oral concerns and have immense benefits. Key advantages of using non-fluoride toothpaste are:

• Fight bacteria and reduce inflammation.

• Strengthens enamel and reduces damage.

• It relieves throbbing gum pain. 

• Ayurvedic toothpaste helps with teeth whitening and fresher breath, too.

Switching to herbal or ayurvedic toothpaste is recommended. Using fluoride-free paste containing only herbal ingredients is simply one part of the equation.

Maintain a healthy oral routine with the best Ayurvedic toothpaste!