Dental experts often recommend fluoridated toothpaste due to its many benefits. However, is high fluoride toothpaste good for your oral health? How much fluoride is good, and to what extent is high fluoride toothpaste good for you?
Oral health is a crucial aspect of our overall health. This post takes you through all you need to know about high fluoride toothpaste, helping you to discover various aspects, including:
- Understanding what a high fluoride toothpaste is and how it works.
- Who is the ideal user for a high fluoride toothpaste?
- What are the fluoride limits for each group of toothpaste users
- What are the pros and cons of high fluoride toothpaste?
- Which are the best toothpaste brands that have high fluoride in the US?
Read on to get a better understanding and to help you determine if this product is ideal for you.
What Is A High Fluoride Toothpaste?
A high fluoride toothpaste is a specialized type of toothpaste that has a higher concentration of fluoride than regular toothpaste. Generally, regular toothpaste has a fluoride concentration of 1,000 to 1,500 ppm (parts per million).
However, high fluoride toothpaste may contain up to 5,000 ppm, which is significantly higher.
What Does A High Fluoride Toothpaste Do?
Fluoride remineralizes and strengthens the enamel, which is the hard outer layer of the tooth that prevents tooth decay. Fluoride counteracts the effects of these foods by protecting your teeth and making them more resistant to acid or bacterial attacks.
A high fluoride toothpaste looks and functions the same way as regular toothpaste. The only difference is that it contains a higher concentration of fluoride. This extra concentration of fluoride is much more effective in repairing and strengthening the tooth enamel, making it more resistant to tooth decay.
If you have damaged enamel, you may consider products like the NHpro Enamel Care to boost your oral health.
While a high fluoride toothpaste seems better than regular toothpaste, it is not for everyone. Read on to understand who is a good candidate for using high fluoride toothpaste and to determine if you qualify to be a user.
Who Is A High Fluoride Toothpaste For?
High fluoride toothpaste is generally for people at a high risk of tooth cavities. Those with a history of dental decay, dry mouth, or a regular diet high in sugar and carbohydrates.
Moreover, a high fluoride toothpaste is ideal for patients who have undergone orthodontic treatment and who find it difficult to effectively clean their teeth.
High fluoride toothpaste is often prescribed by dentists and dental hygienists to patients that meet certain criteria. Some of the factors to consider to determine if a high fluoride toothpaste is right for you include:
- Your oral health: This type of toothpaste is highly recommended for people that don’t have stellar oral health and are at a high risk of getting cavities. If you have these and other similar dental problems, your dentist may prescribe a high fluoride toothpaste to help counteract the issues.
- Age: Older children and teenagers are at great risk of getting cavities than adults. This is why using high fluoride toothpaste may prove beneficial to them. However, it is important to note that the use of high-concentration fluoride toothpaste for children should be under the guidance of a licensed dentist, as too much fluoride may be harmful to developing teeth.
- Your lifestyle: Your lifestyle and regular habits are pivotal in determining your candidacy for a high fluoride toothpaste. People with dental appliances like braces or bridges can be good candidates for these products. This is because it helps them prevent oral diseases as they may be unable to brush their teeth effectively. Additionally, if you regularly consume acidic or sugary foods and drinks, it might be in your best interest to get started with a high fluoride toothpaste soon.
These factors can only help guide you to determine if you are the right candidate for high fluoride toothpaste. However, the best way to determine if this kind of toothpaste can be helpful to you is through your dentist.
Your dentist can evaluate your oral health and assess your risk of developing cavities. This enables them to recommend the best type of toothpaste for your needs. Moreover, your dental practitioner may also recommend other dental products, including a high fluoride mouthwash or other fluoride treatments to help prevent oral issues like cavities.
Who Should Avoid High Fluoride Toothpaste?
High fluoride toothpaste is generally good for most people, especially those at risk of developing cavities. However, not everyone is an ideal candidate for such toothpaste.
Here are some reasons that may cancel out someone as an ideal candidate for high fluoride toothpaste:
- Children under six years: Unless they receive constant supervision every time they brush their teeth, children under six are generally not good candidates for high fluoride toothpaste. This is mainly because such children are more susceptible to swallowing the toothpaste.
It is important to note that swallowing too much fluoride, especially in higher concentrations, can be detrimental to developing teeth. Moreover, it can also lead to oral health issues, such as fluorosis.
It is always important to offer close supervision to children when brushing their teeth. Moreover, you can also use other helpful products, such as the new electric toothbrush technology, which can come in handy.
- People with kidney disease: People with health conditions like kidney disease are at a greater risk of experiencing the harmful effects of high fluoride. Their kidneys may not be able to excrete fluoride from the body, which is why using a high fluoride toothpaste may not be recommended for them, as it could lead to high levels of fluoride.
- If you have a history of fluorosis: Fluorosis is a condition you may get due to overexposure to fluoride. If you have a history of fluorosis, you may not be a good candidate for high fluoride toothpaste. Using such toothpaste may exacerbate the situation and further damage your oral health.
- If you have an allergy or reaction to fluoride: If you experience sensitivity to fluoride or get an allergic reaction because of fluoride, then using a high fluoride concentration on your toothpaste is not recommended.
- People with a low risk of cavities: Not everyone is at great risk of developing cavities. If you have generally good oral health and don’t expose yourself to factors that increase the chances of getting cavities, then using high fluoride toothpaste may not be necessary.
In this case, using regular toothpaste with lower fluoride levels may be enough for you.
Knowing The Right Fluoride Concentration For You
High fluoride toothpaste can be beneficial to some people, while another group may not find it useful. Here’s a quick summary table to guide you on the ideal fluoride concentration to use:
| Category of People | Recommended Fluoride Concentration (ppm) | Recommended Amount of Toothpaste |
|---|---|---|
| Children under 3 years old | < 1000 ppm | Smear a rice-sized amount on the toothbrush |
| Children 3 to 6 years old | 1000 to 1500 ppm | Pea-sized amount on the toothbrush |
| Children 6 to 16 years old | 1000 to 1500 ppm or higher as prescribed by a dentist | Pea-sized amount on the toothbrush |
| Adults without tooth decay or a high risk of cavities | 1000 to 1500 ppm | Pea-sized amount on the toothbrush |
| Adults with tooth decay or a high risk of cavities | 1500 to 5000 ppm or higher as prescribed by a dentist | Pea-sized amount on the toothbrush |
Pros and Cons of High Fluoride Toothpaste
Is a high fluoride toothpaste ideal for you? Here are the key pros and cons of this toothpaste to help you determine if it is ideal for you.
- Helps prevent cavities: Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that strengthens the tooth enamel, therefore preventing cavities. With a higher concentration of fluoride, high fluoride toothpaste provides more advanced protection than regular toothpaste.
- Can improve overall oral health: By protecting your tooth enamel and reducing the risk of getting tooth cavities, you generally improve your oral health, removing the necessity of getting invasive dental procedures like dental fillings down the line.
- May help with tooth sensitivity: Fluoride can help to block pain signals, therefore reducing sensitivity for people that often experience tooth sensitivity.
- Helps with remineralization: Fluoride helps to remineralize your teeth. This is the process of repairing and strengthening your tooth enamel, which helps reverse the signs of tooth decay and prevent cavities.
- May improve teeth whitening: High fluoride toothpaste can help give your teeth a whiter and lighter shade, as it works by removing the surface stains from your teeth.
- Helpful for people with dry mouth: Individuals with dry mouth are usually at a greater risk of developing cavities. This is mainly because they provide less saliva, which might have helped to protect the teeth. Using a high fluoride toothpaste further strengthens the enamel, helping people with dry mouth prevent cavities.
- Beneficial to people with dental appliances: People with braces and other dental appliances are often at a higher risk of developing cavities. Food can easily get lodged or trapped in and around the appliances.
- Risk of fluorosis: Fluorosis is a condition that results in white or brown spots on teeth and can be particularly harmful to developing teeth. This condition can be exacerbated by using high fluoride toothpaste.
- May not be suitable for everyone: High fluoride toothpaste may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with kidney disease, people with a history of fluorosis, children under six years, or those with an allergy or sensitivity to fluoride.
- Can be more expensive: High fluoride toothpaste is often more expensive than regular toothpaste, which can be a consideration for individuals on a tight budget.
- Requires careful use: Because of the higher concentration of fluoride, it's important to use high fluoride toothpaste carefully and in moderation. This is partly one of the reasons children under six may not be good candidates for high fluoride toothpaste, as it may have adverse effects if swallowed.
If you are interested in whitening your teeth, here’s our comprehensive guide on the best toothpaste for whitening that you can consider.
Best High Fluoride Toothpaste in the US
There are numerous high fluoride toothpaste brands that you can get in the US. Each of these brands is unique and with varying concentrations of fluoride.
Are you looking for the best high fluoride toothpaste brand? Here are a few popular considerations:
This toothpaste contains 5,000 parts per million (ppm) of fluoride, much higher than the concentration in regular toothpaste.
The Prevident 5000 Plus is only available with a prescription from a dentist and is specifically designed for individuals at high risk for developing cavities.
This toothpaste contains 5,000 ppm of fluoride and is only available with a prescription from a dentist. In addition to fluoride, Clinpro 5000 contains calcium and phosphate, which can help remineralize teeth and prevent cavities.
This toothpaste contains 5,000 ppm of fluoride and is designed to be used in addition to regular toothpaste. It's specifically formulated for individuals at high risk for developing cavities and can be obtained with a prescription from a dentist.
As you may notice, most high fluoride toothpaste brands can be used only after you get a prescription from your dentist.
There are other toothpaste brands that have even higher concentrations, with some even going as high as 12,300 ppm. However, such products are not available for home use and can only be used in a professional setting, such as an in-office fluoride treatment at the dentist.
Final Thoughts
High fluoride toothpaste can be highly beneficial to people at a greater risk of getting tooth cavities and other related oral issues. It offers advanced protection and remineralization of the enamel, better than standard fluoride toothpaste.
However, it would be prudent to note that not everyone is an ideal candidate for a high fluoride toothpaste. Moreover, most toothpaste brands above 1,500 ppm are considered medical-grade, requiring a prescription from your dentist before use.
FAQ
High fluoride toothpaste is not available over the counter in the US. Toothpaste with fluoride over 1,500 ppm is considered a prescription-strength dental product, meaning you can only get it with a dentist’s prescription.
Prescription-strength toothpaste may contain between 5,000 to 12,300 ppm (parts per million) fluoride, depending on the specific formulation. Some commonly prescribed high fluoride toothpaste brands include PreviDent 5000 and Clinpro 5000.
High fluoride toothpaste is safe and effective when used as directed by a healthcare professional.
5000 fluoride toothpaste is a prescription-strength toothpaste that contains a higher concentration of fluoride than regular toothpaste. It is typically used to prevent tooth decay and remineralize tooth enamel in individuals at high risk for cavities.
High fluoride toothpaste is generally safe when used as directed by a healthcare professional. However, it is important to follow the instructions and not use more toothpaste than recommended, as high fluoride levels can be harmful if ingested in large amounts.
Sources
- AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION COUNCIL ON SCIENTIFIC AFFAIRS. (2014). Retrieved 10 May 2023, from https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(14)60226-9/fulltext
- High Fluoride Concentration Toothpastes for Children and Adolescents. (2016). Retrieved 10 May 2023, from https://karger.com/cre/article/50/Suppl.%201/9/85718/High-Fluoride-Concentration-Toothpastes-for
- Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries. (2019). Retrieved 10 May 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6398117/
- Effectiveness of high-fluoride toothpaste on enamel demineralization during orthodontic treatment—a multicenter randomized controlled trial. (2013). Retrieved 10 May 2023, from https://academic.oup.com/ejo/article/36/6/678/444289
- High-fluoride toothpaste: a multicenter randomized controlled trial in adults. (2014). Retrieved 10 May 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4282025/
- High fluoride toothpaste. (2023). Retrieved 10 May 2023, from https://www.dentalhealth.org/high-fluoride-toothpaste
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