Because toothpaste contains fluoride, which is harmful to people
For a long time, when people go to shopping malls to buy toothpaste, they often see the words "containing fluoride" printed on it. Wording Toothpaste. The selling point of many toothpastes is "containing fluoride". Not only some joint venture brands, but also long-standing domestic products such as Zhonghua, Heimei, etc. also use the "fluoride" brand. One company says "fluoride plus calcium", another one says "fluoride plus calcium" Just say "bifluoride". I went to several large shopping malls and supermarkets and found that although the fluoride toothpaste on the shelves is still playing the "leading role", when it comes to fluoride toothpaste, quite a few consumers have heard that "the Belgian government requires the use of fluoride toothpaste". The news report "Toothpaste requires a doctor's prescription" showed my worries when purchasing toothpaste: What will be the consequences of high fluoride content in the body? Can I still use fluoride toothpaste?
Excessive fluoride content in the body affects health
Excessive use of fluoride-containing items may cause fluorosis, which can damage the nervous system and cause osteoporosis. This is why the Belgian government has proposed a strict ban on fluoride-containing health products. The application of fluoride is divided into two categories: one is systemic application, including fluoridation of drinking water, fluoridation of salt, fluoride of milk, fluoride tablets, fluoride drops, etc. Currently, this type of application is not recommended in China; the other is Topical applications include fluoride toothpaste, fluoride mouthwash, fluoride protective varnish, etc. Compared with foreign countries, the application of fluoride in my country has been carried out for a short time and the scope is small. Except for the widespread application of fluoride toothpaste, there are few other methods of using fluoride.
I learned from Director Zhang Zhantang, an expert at Jinan Stomatological Hospital in Shandong Province, that excessive fluoride content in the body has a great impact on teeth. If chronic fluorosis occurs, permanent teeth will be dull and chalky. If the poisoning is moderate, it will turn yellow, and if the poisoning is severe, the teeth will fall out. On the other hand, people will suffer from skeletal fluorosis, with multiple protrusions appearing on the surface of the bones. Bone spurs in some elderly people may be caused by fluorosis. Ten years ago, Director Zhang Zhantang conducted an oral health survey in Weifang City, Shandong Province and found that almost all young people had dental fluorosis. Then he checked their arms and found that they all had protrusions on their radial bones. After investigation, it was found that the area is a high-fluoride area. If fluoride is ingested through other channels in a high-fluoride area, the degree of fluorosis may be aggravated. Fu Weimin, chief physician of the Department of Internal Medicine at Jiangsu Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, believes that a lack of fluoride in the human body will cause some neurological diseases such as emotional instability. However, there are very few such cases in my country, so there is no need to deliberately supplement fluoride-containing foods in life.
How to correctly choose fluoride toothpaste
Currently, medicated toothpastes are emerging in endlessly and in various varieties, leaving consumers at a loss as to what to do. In particular, they must be cautious when choosing fluoride toothpaste and use it even more carefully. The following conditions must be met when choosing fluoride toothpaste:
1. It can be used in low-fluoride areas and is prohibited in high-fluoride areas. It can be used if the fluoride content in drinking water is lower than 1PPM, but it should not be used if it is higher than 2PPM.
2. Use with caution in children and adolescents, and prohibited in preschool children. Because children and adolescents have poor self-protection capabilities, most of them brush their teeth passively and half-heartedly. The remaining toothpaste between the teeth cannot be cleaned cleanly. Children under 4 years old even swallow mouthwash and toothpaste together, which is even more harmful. Every time they brush their teeth, Must be supervised by an adult.
3. It cannot be used in areas with intensive heavy industry. During the production process, fluorine spreads with the "three wastes" and pollutes the environment, causing the fluorine content in the area to increase. According to statistics, a phosphate fertilizer plant with an annual output of 40,000 to 50,000 tons emits 35,000 cubic meters of waste gas per hour, which contains about 50 kilograms of fluorine, which is far beyond the safe amount.
4. It is recommended that manufacturers put a warning on toothpaste boxes with the words "Fluoride is toxic and should not be left behind after brushing" to remind people to prevent problems before they occur.
5. Use with caution by the elderly. People over 50 years old have reduced organ functions, endocrine disorders, and are prone to osteoporosis. If they continue to use fluoride toothpaste, it will undoubtedly add fuel to the fire.
6. Before using fluoride toothpaste, education on preventing fluorosis must be carried out and correct brushing methods must be mastered. After brushing, the remaining toothpaste between the teeth must be completely removed, and toothpaste must not be mixed with Swallow the mouthwash.