this post was submitted on 22 Nov 2024
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Science Memes

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 day ago (8 children)

The question is: does it make sense to buy toothpaste with fluoride then or can I buy one without? Just because my kids don't like the peppermint ones and other flavours are most of the times without fluoride

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Fluoridated toothpaste is more effective than drinking water. The fluoride works by direct contact with the enamel. Another reason it doesn't make sense to put it in drinking water.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago

Fluoride in the water is beneficial in the pre-eruptive phase (when teeth are still growing). Fluoride ingestion increases tooth resistence to cavities if the ingestion happened while they were growing.

This does mean that fluoride in water isn't really useful after you have all your permanent teeth though.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 23 hours ago (1 children)

For other toothpaste that still strengthens enamel, there is toothpaste with hydroxyapatite (which can be ingested, at least that specific ingredient). Though it is probably more expensive.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 19 hours ago (1 children)

Unfortunately hydroxyapatite is not approved for dental use in the United States of America.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 19 hours ago* (last edited 19 hours ago)

I mean you can buy it here in a normal store. So I'm not sure if you mean a dentist can't use/provide it, or if you're thinking about the nano forms of it.

Edit, just saw this:

the FDA regulates dental products like toothpaste as cosmetics rather than therapeutic agents for cavity prevention

Interestingly, many ingredients used in dental care, including fluoride, are employed off-label. This means they are used in ways not officially approved by the FDA but are still considered effective based on scientific evidence and clinical practice

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago

Now say something that bros can really understand, like "fluoride affects zinc and magnesium absorption". Just don't tell them how it interacts

[–] [email protected] 1 points 22 hours ago* (last edited 22 hours ago)

Used to be a thing about it turning your teeth green

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

throws Coors light

"That's just what they want you to think!"

Come up with a rebuttal to this that an ignorant right-winger would believe.

[–] [email protected] -5 points 20 hours ago (2 children)

The question about this is that the same can be said about lead. Do we want to consume that?

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[–] [email protected] 0 points 20 hours ago

Toxicology isn't a real profession. These people are run by big toxicity. For real water advice you want a homeopath.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 23 hours ago (1 children)

It could likely be replaced with hydroxyapatite instead (it also can be used to remove lead and other things from water, which makes searching about being added to municipal water difficult). Good for not only teeth, also bones.

I also wonder if adding other vitamins would make more sense (just enough to stop deficiencies) if we're talking about health outcomes, though the first idea I had with vitamin C came up with results of that messing with the chlorine in the water.

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[–] [email protected] -2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I am still concerned about fluoride, but for different reasons. The federal government says there is too much natural fluoride in our water so we must import water to dilute it. The federal government doesn't trust us with police officers, or politicians, but surely the public water company isn't corrupt or incompetent....surely.

But hey, our teeth are really white and no ones died from flouride, far more likely to die from sudden lead.

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[–] [email protected] -1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Okay fluoride gang (of which I may be a member)…

A study about the affects of fluoride in municipal water on plants: MSU study

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