This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified dentist or medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your dental program, diet, medication or lifestyle,

For years, medical research has found that fluoride in toothpaste helps to prevent tooth decay and protect against cavities. As a result, most toothpastes contain between 1,000 to 1,100 mg/L of sodium fluoride or monofluorophosphate. But a new study has found that fluoride-free toothpaste is just as effective at preventing cavities as fluoride-based toothpaste. So, does this mean the end of using toothpaste enhanced with fluoride?

Poznan University of Medical Sciences carried out a study involving 171 participants over a period of 18 months. The participants were split into two groups. One group used hydroxyapatite (fluoride-free) toothpaste and the other group used fluoridated toothpaste throughout the study. Six-monthly trips to a dental clinician were completed and a DIAGNOcam device and plaque-disclosing solution were used to check for signs of cavities and plaque. The end results revealed that almost 90% of people in both groups had no new cavities, which indicates that both hydroxyapatite toothpaste and fluoridated toothpaste keep cavities at bay.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that fluoridated toothpaste should be used as it prevents cavities and is backed by decades of clinical research. For example, one piece of research considered a total of 54 studies and concluded that fluoride toothpaste reduced the risk of dental caries. The study also reported that 1500 ppm of fluoride was significantly better at preventing dental caries compared to 1000 ppm of fluoride. The CEO of Sheffield Pharmaceuticals, Jeff Davis further supports brushing with fluoridated toothpaste and says that it’s “pretty established” that fluoride stops cavities from forming. But it’s important to remember when caring for your teeth, that it involves more than brushing with fluoride toothpaste. Good oral health requires regular dental visits and being mindful of what you eat and drink. You also need to keep an eye out for dental conditions, such as tooth decay and dry sockets, and seek help when they occur.

Naturally, some people have concerns about using fluoridated toothpaste. One issue is that it can cause fluorosis, which is where white spots on the teeth form. This is backed up by the NYU College of Dentistry who found that exposing enamel to fluoride caused calcium regulation issues. There is also evidence that backs up Poznan University of Medical Sciences research. Professor Bennett T. Amaechi, PhD, BDS, MSc of the Department of Comprehensive Dentistry at UT Health San Antonio studied the differences between hydroxyapatite and fluoridated toothpaste last year and found that hydroxyapatite toothpaste was “significantly better” at protecting teeth than toothpaste containing fluoride.

There has always been a strong case for the use of fluoridated toothpaste to protect against dental health issues, such as cavities and decay. But emerging research is turning these earlier findings on their head. As a result, the question of which type of toothpaste is better still remains. Here’s hoping that a definitive answer is just around the corner.