Before we look at the Fluoride Free Toothpaste Brands, lets first understand why should our toothpaste be fluoride free.
Consumer Education and Research Society (CERS) conducts tests on a reguular basis.
It conducted a test on 18 variants of eight brands of toothpaste in its in-house laboratory and found all fluoridated toothpastes to be high in fluoride content.
According to CERS, since fluoride is present in water, food, fish, tea, some fruits and vegetables as well as in some drugs containing sodium fluoride (meant for osteoporosis and dental caries), its excess use could cause fluorosis, leading to discolouration of teeth and even loss of teeth. It may also lead to dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis, non-skeletal fluorosis affecting the central nervous system.
The highest fluoride content 910 ppm was found in Pepsodent Kids’ against the permissible 1000 ppm. According to CERS, children swallow about 50 per cent of the toothpaste on their brush. More than half the fluoride intake of a two-year-old comes from toothpaste. Therefore, It is recommended that we opt for Non Fluoride or 100% Fluoride free toothpase for children.
As per standards, the flouride content in toothpastes should not exceed 1,000 ppm but there is no such provision for children’s toothpaste. CERS stated that maximum fluoride was found in Colgate Advanced Whitening’ 797 ppm, followed by Close Up’ 738 ppm, Pepsodent’ for adults contained fluoride in the range of 603 to 693 ppm. The least was found in Colgate Super Shakti Dental Cream’ 527 ppm.
CERS also stated that fluoride is more poisonous than lead, slightly less poisonous then arsenic, is used in rat poison and as an insecticide for ants and cockroaches. The brighter side however, is that, after brushing with fluoridated toothpaste the fluoride left on the teeth diffuses the plaque and helps protect teeth from decay. (Source – Times of India)
