US dental experts encourage patients to switch back to fluoride toothpaste, as figures suggest a dramatic increase in the popularity of fluoride-free products

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Dental experts in the US are encouraging patients to switch back to fluoride toothpaste after figures revealed a dramatic increase in the popularity of fluoride-free products.

The use of fluoride in toothpaste and the issue of water fluoridation stir up fervent debate in the US. There is a great deal of support for fluoride-free campaigns, and dentists are worried that patients may be putting their oral health at risk by eliminating fluoride exposure. Studies, including research carried by a team at the University of Washington, suggest that brushing alone is not sufficient to prevent decay, but many believe that fluoride poses health risks.

Scientific adviser to the British Dental Association and university professor, Prof Damien Walmsley, claimed that people tend to think that brushing is enough to keep decay at bay, but this isn’t the case. Fluoride is required to protect and strengthen the enamel, and prevent harmful bacteria penetrating the protective outer coating of the teeth.

Just this week, an article published in the journal, Gerodontology, suggested that dental hygiene efforts have little impact in the absence of fluoride.

Fluoride is found naturally in water supplies, and it is also added to most toothpaste products. The vast majority of dental experts support the use of fluoride, but the debate over the safety of fluoride rages on in the US.

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