When You Are Allergic To Fluoride

30 June 2016
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

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Fluoride is the recognized anti-cavity substance of choice for cavity prevention in many homes. It's also usually in the municipal water system, and if you don't get it in your toothpaste, you can buy a rinse for that purpose. Unfortunately, some people are allergic or "hypersensitive" to fluoride, leading to headaches, stomach problems, and skin issues. If you are one of these folks, you need to adopt other cavity prevention strategies.

Natural Replacements

For people who cannot use fluoride or choose not to, using certain natural products can keep your teeth and gums healthy. For instance, a mouthwash made with neem leaf extract is good for reducing plaque and helping prevent gingivitis. Some people also tout the benefits of using coconut oil, which studies show impedes the growth of harmful and cavity-causing bacteria. Other natural products also offer you specific benefits in dental health and are certainly worth a try.

Foods and Drinks

You probably know what foods and drinks encourage cavities to develop, such as anything with high sugar content, but you may not know that eating other foods helps to prevent tooth decay. Research shows that eating cheese may help your teeth's health. Casein, which a protein found in cheese, helps raise calcium levels in your mouth after you enjoy a yummy piece of cheddar. In more exciting news, researchers may have found a link to oral health and wine. Although not everyone is convinced, research is being done on the topic, giving you one more reason to enjoy a glass each night at dinner.

Dental Care

You know that you should visit your dentist regularly for professional checkups and cleanings, but you may want to schedule more frequent visits with your dentist if you are sensitive to fluoride. Discuss the issue with your dentist so they can suggest additional steps you can take to protect your teeth. If you need to see them three times a year to be safe, do so. They may also suggest using a water pick to better protect your gums. A little extra prevention can save a cavity or two.

You can keep your teeth healthy without using fluoride, although you'll have to be careful about what dental products you choose. Many if not most contain some level of fluoride, which can trigger the symptoms of a fluoride allergy or sensitivity. Consult with your family dentist and then experiment with some natural products to maintain your dental health. If all the fluoride in the world disappeared, you could still have healthy teeth and gums.