Stannous Fluoride in Toothpaste and Mouthwash: Pros and Cons
The pros of using stannous fluoride toothpaste are many. First of all, it is much cheaper than other types of toothpastes. Second, it does not contain any harmful chemicals or preservatives. Third, it removes stains better than regular tooth paste.
Fourth, it contains no artificial colors or flavors which may cause allergic reactions in some individuals. Fifth, it is safe for children. Sixth, it provides a long lasting whitening effect. Seventh, it does not damage teeth. Eighth, its effectiveness lasts longer than those of other types of toothpastes. Ninth, it does not affect the taste of food. Tenth, it makes your mouth feel cleaner and fresher. Eleventh, if you have cavities then stannous fluoride will remove them completely and prevent future cavities from forming in the first place! Finally, stannous fluoride toothpaste is non-irritating to the throat and sinuses.
The cons of using stannous fluoride toothpaste are very few. First of all, it is not as effective as regular toothpaste when it comes to removing stains from foods. Second, it causes irritation in the throat and sinuses. Third, some people experience allergic reactions to stannous fluoride toothpaste.
This is rare, but it occurs.
There you have the pros and cons of stannous fluoride toothpaste. As you can see, the benefits are much greater than the possible risks. This is why stannous fluoride toothpaste is preferred by most dentists over other types.
Stannous Fluoride in Toothpaste and Mouthwash: Pros and Cons
It is true that stannous fluoride toothpaste has some benefits over regular toothpaste. Still, this does not mean you should use it. Stannous fluoride can actually have a very detrimental effect on your teeth. As with many things in life, too much of a good thing can be very bad for you.The first problem with stannous fluoride toothpaste is that it can lead to tooth decay.
This is especially true if you consume a lot of sugary foods and drinks. The high levels of fluoride in stannous fluoride toothpaste can actually start to break down the enamel on your teeth if used too much. It also increases the speed at which decay forms, especially in children.
The next problem is that stannous fluoride toothpaste can severely damage the tissues in your mouth. Since it is so abrasive, it tends to rub away the protective layers of cells in your mouth and throat. If used too much, stannous fluoride toothpaste can actually lead to conditions such as ulcers and canker sores. Also, the more you swallow stannous fluoride toothpaste, the greater your risk of suffering from intestinal blockages.
Finally, it can be very damaging to the environment. Since most people spit out the toothpaste instead of rinsing it out, the fluoride found in it ends up in rivers, lakes and other freshwater supplies. This can have a very detrimental effect on the plants and animals living in these areas.
Is stannous fluoride toothpaste dangerous?
There are many factors to consider, some medical and some environmental. There are some groups who claim that stannous fluoride toothpaste can lead to a number of health conditions such as cancer, arthritis, leukaemia and many others. These groups go as far as to say that the “taste” of stannous fluoride toothpaste is intended to make people associate it with something that tastes good. This way, if stannous fluoride toothpaste is swallowed, people will be more likely to do so because “it tastes good”.
There are no studies that can back up these claims as of yet. The American Dental Association, the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control have all reviewed the studies that suggest a link between stannous fluoride toothpaste and health conditions and have come to the conclusion that there is no causal relationship between the two.
That being said, stannous fluoride toothpaste should be used in moderation and flossed away from the gums and teeth to avoid irritation. It is also recommended that children under six not use stannous fluoride toothpaste, and that they be supervised by an adult when brushing.
Finally, stannous fluoride toothpaste should be kept out of reach of children. Accidents do happen and it would be very sad if a child were to swallow a large amount of stannous fluoride toothpaste.
Stannous fluoride toothpaste can be a good alternative to regular toothpaste for those who are looking to reduce the risks of tooth decay and gum disease. If you use this toothpaste, just make sure that you do not swallow it, and brush away from your gums and teeth as well as your throat. If you use any other kind of toothpaste, make sure you brush thoroughly and supervise children.
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Sources & references used in this article:
Comparative antiplaque effectiveness of an essential oil and an amine fluoride/stannous fluoride mouthrinse by BG Riep, JP Bernimoulin… – Journal of clinical …, 1999 – Wiley Online Library
The comparative efficacy of stabilized stannous fluoride dentifrice, peroxide/baking soda dentifrice and essential oil mouthrinse for the prevention of gingivitis by BB Beiswanger, SF McClanahan… – Journal of Clinical …, 1997 – researchgate.net
Acidogenicity of buccal plaque after a single rinse with amine fluoride–stannous fluoride mouthrinse solution by JJM Damen, MJ Buijs, JM Ten Cate – Caries Research, 2002 – karger.com
Effects of various rinsing protocols after the use of amine fluoride/stannous fluoride toothpaste on the acid production of dental plaque and tongue flora by VAM Gerardu, C Van Loveren, M Heijnsbroek… – Caries …, 2006 – karger.com
Studies on stannous fluoride toothpaste and gel (2). Effects on salivary bacterial counts and plaque regrowth in vivo by M Addy, J Greenman, P Renton‐Harper… – Journal of clinical …, 1997 – Wiley Online Library
Effect of various rinsing protocols after use of amine fluoride/stannous fluoride toothpaste on the bacterial composition of dental plaque by C van Loveren, VAM Gerardu, CH Sissons… – Caries …, 2009 – karger.com
Comparative study of plaque and gingivitis prevention by AmF/SnF2 and NaF A clinical and microbiological 9‐month study by R Mengel, E Wissing… – Journal of clinical …, 1996 – Wiley Online Library
Plaque-inhibiting effect of dentifrices containing stannous fluoride by B Svatun – Acta Odontologica Scandinavica, 1978 – Taylor & Francis
