Stannous Fluoride – Oral Health Benefits | Hacker News Reader

Stannous Fluoride – Oral Health Benefits

en.wikipedia.org

16 pointssurprisetalk16 comments

Stannous fluoride delivers fluoride like sodium fluoride, but is also anti-gingivital. It didn’t take off because the product would break down in storage, leading to a tinny taste when used. I believe it was Colgate who, in the early noughties, found a way to stabilise it, I believe with the addition stannous chloride.

Toothpaste has two purposes: taste and fluoride. Stannous fluoride delivers both with anti-gingivit benefits to boot. As a layman, I’m not sure why sodium fluoride remains the default.

Toothpaste also provides grit, substance for scrubbing teeth

I was advised by a hygienist that the optimal is to alternate between the two. In US, sodium fluoride is available in rinses e.g. Act; stannous fluoride is available in toothpaste e.g. Perodontax.

If you're susceptible to having plaque build up on your teeth you might want to read this BBC article from last July [1]. I've used the technique they describe with an Oral B middle of the line electric tooth brush (lots of others work too but I'm not sure about the water based versions) and the results are way beyond my expectations. 'Only ten percent of people are brushing their teeth properly.' according to this article.

[1]https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220718-the-best-way-to-...

Given the data it’s a very cheap and (seemingly) very effective change. I’ve used it for years and haven’t gotten any cavities, for what little that’s worth.

My teeth have also become quite stained but I think that’s the coffee…

What product do you use? Is it toothpaste or mouthwash?

I use Crest Pro Health to brush and Listerine Flouride Zero Alcohol (This is sodium flouride) if I’m too lazy to brush. Only reason for name brand is the taste.

Upon request my dentist sold me ($20) a tube of Fluoridex [1] prescription toothpaste with 1.1% sodium fluoride to use at night. The instructions are to avoid eating or drinking afterward for 30 minutes, which is easy when you are asleep.

The Colgate I use in the morning has 0.25% sodium fluoride for comparison, so the prescription toothpaste is 4x stronger.

There are some threads on /r/dentistry/ suggesting that SnF2 can cause irritation.

Whatever compound, the benefit of fluoride toothpaste is increased by not washing it away with a mouth rinse after brushing.

[1] https://dentalhealthessentials.com/fluoridex-sensitivity-rel...

> Whatever compound, the benefit of fluoride toothpaste is increased by not washing it away with a mouth rinse after brushing.

And what is the benefit of ingesting fluoride toothpaste ?

I never understood how this could be recommended seriously to folks. I've never met anyone who didn't wash their mouth out after brushing. It just seems uncomfortable to go straight to bed with toothpaste lingering all over your mouth.

> And what is the benefit of ingesting fluoride toothpaste ?

Tasty and nutritious. It gives structure and a nice minty flavor to decorative frosting.'

It also strengthens kidney stones for your collection.

“After use, adults expectorate. For best results, do not eat, drink, or rinse for 30 minutes. Pediatric patients, ages 6-17, expectorate after use and rinse mouth thoroughly” -Instructions

I wondered why it wasn’t sold over the counter, but yes it would seem that toothpaste eaters are at risk of complications, so definitely ask your dentist and they can show you how to use it correctly.

I rinse with a fluoride mouthwash.

Stannous flouride stains my teeth and I avoid it like the plague.

And like the plaque?

No mention of the conspiracy nonsense. Is that normal for Wikipedia? It's okay, but it might feed the nutcase narrative.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com