Flouride-free toothpaste
Health authorities in the US call water fluoridation ‘one of the top 10 public health achievements of the 20th century’.
Yet critics claim the mineral disrupts hormones, leading to chronic health problems including bone disorders, dementia and diabetes, resulting in a recent surge in fluoride-free alternatives.
Dr Eskander told MailOnline: ‘Flouride is the main protective ingredient in toothpaste. It prevents decay and counteracts the effects of decay forming, particularly if you eat a lot of sweets or fruit.’
Flouride toothpastes work by depositing the mineral in enamel, which is broken down by acidic foods. This makes teeth more resistant to such foods and prevents decay.
Yet, critics add flouride toothpaste packaging often warns people not to swallow the product and just to use a pea-sized amount due to the thin mucus membranes in the mouth allowing ingredients to be absorbed into the body.
According to Dr Eskander: ‘You would need to consume a huge amount to have a toxic effect.’
While flouride can cause yellow streaks to form in children’s teeth, Dr Atkins adds this is not harmful and usually only obvious to dentists.
He told MailOnline: ‘There have been countless reports and peer-reviewed research into fluoride and the scientific conclusion is that fluoride toothpaste is of great benefit to our oral and cause no harmful side effects to general health.
‘There are toothpastes which are fluoride-free. Some may have antibacterial agents, freshen breath and if they are abrasive, they could remove surface staining.
‘Unfortunately what a fluoride-free toothpaste won’t do is protect your teeth from tooth decay.’
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