While We Debate Fluoride, Far Worse Ingredients Are Slipping Into Your Toothpaste

Let’s cut to it: the fluoride vs. non-fluoride debate has been going in circles for decades. And despite all the back-and-forth, we’re no closer to healthier mouths. Dental disease is still the most common chronic condition on the planet—and in the U.S., cavities are still the #1 chronic disease in kids. So while people argue about a single ingredient, the oral care industry is getting away with something far more dangerous.

Because while you’re busy choosing sides on fluoride, something else is sneaking past your radar:

What’s actually in your toothpaste and mouthwash?

Spoiler: some of those ingredients rank two to five times worse than fluoride on major toxicity scales.

Let that sink in.

The Facts About Fluoride (Whether You Love It or Not)

Let’s start with the facts. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in water, tea, seafood, and many vegetables. It’s also the only FDA-approved ingredient for cavity prevention in over-the-counter oral care products.

It works by forming fluorapatite, a compound that makes enamel significantly more acid-resistant. To put it into perspective:

Hydroxyapatite (your enamel’s natural material) begins to break down at a pH of 5.5.
Fluorapatite, created by fluoride, resists acid down to pH 4.5.

That’s a 10X increase in acid resistance.

Even fluoride—one of the most studied and widely used ingredients in dentistry—can pose risks if overused or swallowed in large amounts, particularly by young children. In such cases, it may lead to fluorosis (white spots on teeth) or, in rare instances, other toxic effects. The point? These benefits and risks have been well documented for decades, and they highlight the importance of using all oral care ingredients wisely and in the right concentrations.

“Non-Fluoride” Means… Nothing

What’s in a “non-fluoride” toothpaste?

The truth is: you have no idea.

The label simply tells you what’s not in it—not what is. Technically, ice cream is non-fluoride. So is poison. It’s an empty label that tells you nothing about safety, efficacy, or ingredient quality.

What You’re Not Being Told: These Ingredients Are Far Worse

Let’s put fluoride into context with other common oral care ingredients. Below is a quick comparison using the Environmental Working Group (EWG) safety scale, which rates ingredient toxicity from 1 (safest) to 10 (most hazardous):

Ingredient	Common Use	EWG Score (0–10)	Known Concerns
Fluoride	Cavity prevention, enamel protection	2	Fluorosis with overexposure
Titanium Dioxide	Toothpaste whitener	3	Possible genotoxicity and other concerns
Peppermint Oil	Flavoring (gives minty burn)	4	Disrupts oral microbiome, can trigger respiratory issues in children
Triclosan (banned in some countries)	Antimicrobial agent	7–8	Hormone disruption, environmental harm
PTFE (Teflon)	Found in popular dental flosses	10	“Forever chemical,” linked to hormonal and immune system disruption

So while the world’s arguing about fluoride, manufacturers are slipping in chemicals that score far worse—often without your knowledge.

Your Mouth Deserves Better Than a Marketing Label

Consumers are stuck in the fluoride vs. non-fluoride crossfire, and meanwhile, they’re unknowingly buying products with high-risk ingredients and zero actual benefit.

It’s like buying a “sugar-free” snack… only to find out it’s packed with artificial sweeteners, colors, and preservatives.

The problem isn’t fluoride. The problem is tunnel vision.

The Mouth Is More Than Just Enamel

This debate also misses the bigger picture.

Your mouth isn’t just a set of dead enamel that needs to be zapped with fluoride or something “natural.” It’s a complex ecosystem, with:

Teeth that are alive on the inside and require vitamins and minerals
Gums that serve as the gateway to your bloodstream
A microbiome made up of billions of bacteria that support digestion, immunity, and even cardiovascular health

If you’re using harsh chemicals, alcohol, or essential oils that indiscriminately kill everything, you’re not “cleaning” your mouth—you’re bulldozing a vital ecosystem.

The SuperMouth Difference

At SuperMouth, we’re not on Team Fluoride or Team Non-Fluoride—we’re on Team Whole Mouth Health.

We look beyond the label and design every product to be:

Safe and effective for all ages
Free from harmful ingredients like PTFE, SLS, parabens, synthetic dyes, and harsh essential oils
Supportive of the oral microbiome with prebiotics
Available with or without fluoride, based on your personal needs and risk factors
✅ We use Hydroxamin®, our patented blend of nano-hydroxyapatite + vitamins D3 & K2, in all our toothpastes, mouthwashes, and flosses—because your enamel needs minerals, and your body needs to absorb them properly.
✅ Our minty flavors are powered by spearmint, not peppermint oil, and are rated 1 (safest) by EWG.
✅ We custom-tailor oral care systems by age, stage, and risk factor—because no two mouths are alike.

Bottom Line

If you take one thing away from this article, let it be this:

Fluoride vs. Non-Fluoride is the wrong question.

The real question is: Are the products you’re putting in your mouth every day truly safe, effective, and microbiome-friendly?

If you’re ready to stop following outdated debates and start using science-backed oral care that actually protects your whole mouth, we’re here for you.

👉 Take our oral care assessment to discover which SuperMouth products are right for you and your family.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional dental advice. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized oral care guidance.