resolve a marital dispute... fluoride toothpaste

mominatrix

OK, here's one issue that my H and I don't agree on... fluoride.

 

Here's what the dispute looks like:

H: Fluoride is put into drinking water, and it's really bad for you to be drinking.  It's a freaking hazardous waste product. Don't buy toothpaste with fluoride in it, because it's really bad for you.

Me:  OK, I'm down with the 'fluoride is bad for you to be drinking' line. But there are studies that say it's so great for your teeth. I don't know about you, but I spit when I brush, so why no fluoride in toothpaste?

 

So...  do we get toothpaste with fluoride, or not?

 

smurfette2682

i agree that i would rather there be fluoride in my toothpaste than in my drinking water, however i don't feel that it's necessary at all.

we use kiss my face triple action aloe vera toothpaste.  that has been one "green" change DH hasn't complained about! 

Cali1012

I agree with keeping fluoride in your toothpaste and not in your drinking water- I used a non-fluoride toothpaste for 3 years, and during that time, I got the first cavity I've had in 24 years.  Could be unrelated, but after that, I decided to switch back to a toothpaste with fluoride in it.

Mrs Manners

I believe cavities are much more related to diet and overall health than to whether our toothpaste has fluoride. That being said, I haven't bothered to switch mine out but I do buy non-flouridated toothpaste for ds (since he still swallows and sucks on his toothbrush).

daisyterp

I grew up w/o fluoridated water and didn't have a cavity until I was 23, but I always used toothpaste w/ fluoride and I believe I took a vitamin w/ fluoride as well and my dentist put sealants on my teeth.

We are on well water and DH & I use TJ's toothpaste w/ fluoride, it's free of SLS and all that other junk.  DH's teeth are not good, so he really needs all of the help he can get. 

kelbrian

I use Crest Pro-Health with enamel protection. I was bulimic for years and need the enamel protection because I have very little, and it hurts to drink and eat occasionally. I've noticed that they don't hurt as much since i've started using it, so I keep on with it.

But I don't particularly like fluoride. If I could, I would use a non-fluoridated toothpaste. My DD uses Tom's of Maine kids tooth paste with no fluoride. There's enough of it in our water. 

pixieprincss

We use different toothpastes. I want SLS-free and don't care about he flouride. DH wants to use conventional, just because. So, I have Tom's and he uses Pepsodent.

mdd

Check with your water supplier to see how much fluoride is present in your water.  Then talk to your dentist or pediatric dentist and see if fluoride paste is necessary or whether supplementation is required, etc.

The bolded part is relevant and I believe it is also in agreement with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

http://www.cda-adc.ca/_files/position_statements/fluorides.pdf

The use of fluoride supplements before the eruption of the first permanent tooth is generally not recommended. When, on an individual basis, the benefit of supplemental fluoride outweighs the risk of dental fluorosis, practitioners may elect to use these supplements at appropriate dosages in young children. In doing so, the total daily fluoride intake from all sources should not exceed 0.05-0.07 mg F / kg body weight in order to minimize the risk of dental fluorosis.

http://www.aapd.org/media/Policies_Guidelines/P_FluorideUse.pdf