It seems like the toothpaste section of the grocery store has doubled in size over the past few years. Not only are there more choices, the advertising for many of these toothpastes conflict each other. New “natural” toothpastes make claims that fluoride is harmful and unnatural. They offer ingredient lists full of common household substances with easy to pronounce names. This seems like a good trend- but is it? Let’s dive into what you should–and shouldn’t–believe on the toothpaste packaging.

True. Swallowing large quantities of fluoride has shown negative effects such as lower IQ, teeth discoloration, overly hard and brittle bones, and neurological problems. However, don’t go toss your toothpaste just yet. These problems come from swallowing more than the FDA recommended amount of fluoride (through water and toothpaste). Especially the more serious issues would require a serious amount of fluoride built up in your system. The FDA recommends 0.7 mg fluoride for each liter of water you drink.

False! A recent study proved that oral hygiene efforts without fluoride have “no effect” in reducing your chance of getting a cavity. Fluoride is a naturally occurring element in water and is nature’s most effective defense against dental cavities. Because of the potential side effects, especially in young children whose teeth are still developing, most dentists recommend you chose a fluoride-free toothpaste for your children. However, you can still get some of the remineralizing benefits of fluoride by asking your dental hygienist to apply it semi-annually at their hygiene appointments.

Jury’s still out. Sorry, that may not be helpful, but we want to be honest with you. There are many ingredients you may never have heard of before picking up your toothpaste tube to inspect it that do great things for your oral health. Xylitol is a natural sweetener that replaces sugar in your toothpaste and 20g/day can reduce your risk of decay. Triclosan is an anti-bacterial found in many brand-name toothpastes. It’s very effective at eliminating bacteria , which the dental community is split on. Just like too many antibiotics, this could destroy both good and bad bacteria in your mouth. However, some chemicals have been approved and then the approval retracted as we learn more about the long-term effects. Additionally, some of the very common ingredients in natural toothpastes have come under scrutiny for being ineffective.

Feeling confused about what to believe? Don’t worry. We’ll dive into all things toothpaste over the next few weeks. By the end of this series, you can decide for yourself what you’re comfortable putting in your mouth.

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