We've been hearing an awful lot about fluoride lately. Despite fluoride being added to toothpaste (and drinking water) for decades, there is now reason to believe that it could pose challenges to human health. Fortunately, there is an alternative in hydroxyapatite toothpaste.
Hydroxyapatite is one of the ingredients found in EcoFam oral care products. If you are at all concerned about fluoride exposure – whether for yourself or your children – we invite you to learn more about our toothpaste tablets and peppermint mouthwash tablets.
The Concerns with Fluoride
As previously mentioned, we have been adding fluoride to municipal water and toothpaste for decades. Some mouthwashes contain fluoride as well. However, science has not looked extensively into the potential health risks of repeated fluoride exposure over many years. Now that we are looking, questions are starting to pop up.
Fluoride exposure has been linked to:
- Lower IQ
- Developmental neurotoxicity
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Insomnia
- Osteoarthritis
- Lower fertility rates
- Dental fluorosis
There are other conditions and risks we don't have space to mention. The takeaway is that we don't know as much about fluoride risks as we would like to. And right now, there's enough evidence to at least cause us to put the pause on fluoride and investigate a little further.
The Case for Fluoride
Perhaps you're wondering why we ever started adding fluoride to drinking water and toothpaste. It boils down to the fact that fluoride does seem to help prevent tooth decay. Knowing what we know about the importance of good dental health, preventing tooth decay is a smart idea. The thing is that we don't have to continue using fluoride for that purpose. We can use hydroxyapatite instead.
More About Hydroxyapatite
Hydroxyapatite (HA) is a mineral form of calcium apatite that occurs naturally in human bones and teeth. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity and health of both the teeth and bones.
From a biological standpoint, upwards of 70% of human bone material is hydroxyapatite. Tooth enamel is about 80% HA. In both cases, the mineral provides structural hardness and integrity.
Hydroxyapatite can replace fluoride in toothpaste and mouthwash to prevent tooth decay. It works by encouraging enamel remineralization that can actually reverse tooth decay and whiten teeth. Hydroxyapatite is especially effective at treating sensitive teeth.
Better for You and the Environment
We believe so much in hydroxyapatite as a fluoride alternative that we rely on it as one of the main ingredients in our toothpaste tablets. Trade in your traditional toothpaste for EcoFam tablets and you'll discover that they are better for both you and the environment.
EcoFam toothpaste tablets are better for you in the sense that they work just as well as traditional toothpaste but without the fluoride. We also avoid all harsh chemicals and preservatives in our formulations. When you use EcoFam toothpaste tablets, you're using a product made with natural ingredients, a product that does an outstanding job of cleaning, whitening, and preventing tooth decay.
In terms of the environment, EcoFam toothpaste tablets are shipped in reusable and recyclable packaging. We don't package in plastic, so our products don't contribute to the plastic problem. That's good for the environment. Furthermore, choosing EcoFam products will contribute to your sustainability efforts.
Fluoride's Day Has Passed
Fluoride might have seemed like a good idea decades ago, but its day has passed. There are now sufficient questions to suggest it's time to push the pause button on fluoride and look for something else. We can start with hydroxyapatite toothpaste and tablets as a more than adequate replacement for traditional fluoride products.
