Comments | wldhrsjen3: in which I have a panic attack and discover that I've been using the wrong toothpaste for 30 years

wldhrsjen3

in which I have a panic attack and discover that I've been using the wrong toothpaste for 30 years

Apr 08, 2014 08:40

My scarcity this go-round has, for once, nothing to do with connectivity issues. (We think - at last, again - we have most of them solved. Other than the fact that bad weather will still wreak havoc with our satellite signal, but that can't be helped.) No, this time it's because I've spent the last five-six weeks in miserable mouth pain.

( cut for boring personal details )

Comments 31

libwitch April 8 2014, 13:50:37 UTC

oh my god. you are allergic to fluoride? Its not that I don't believe you, I just have never heard of it.

You poor thing. routine hygiene should not be painful!

Toms' sells probably the best known flouride-free toothpaste, and probably the most widely sold. You can buy it online from a variety of places, too (http://www.tomsofmainestore.com/category/oralcare/toothpaste/fluoride-free). I suspect in a pinch you could use either infant/childrens' toothpaste - which would be either low or flouride free (or heck, even pet toothpaste, which would safe for humans) or if, really in a pinch for a short term use straight baking soda. I would say the latter for only short term use because it tastes pretty rough.

What an experience. gah.

wldhrsjen3 April 8 2014, 14:41:20 UTC

I know, right? SO WEIRD. I have a friend who is allergic to fluorine in water, but I never dreamed I could have a problem with toothpaste! And I just never thought to question. :P I did use baking soda last night but it felt too gritty on my gums, so I think I'll have to try something else. My local pharmacist actually had one tube of Tom's, so I bought it. And I ordered a couple different tubes to try online, so hopefully something will work. I would be really, really, really happy if I never had to go through gum cleaning again!!!!!!!!!!!

libwitch April 8 2014, 17:23:36 UTC

yeah I don't blame you - my husband had to go through that once and it was awful (his problem is just the reverse - he grew up in an area that was all non-flouride well water and has had a ton of problems that it took a little bit of work to get on top of. Luckily, our health plans includes dental. whew)

libwitch April 8 2014, 13:52:45 UTC

And ok, how did this conversation with your relatives go? because I am just trying to picture it.

So, I was just wondering...does your mouth burn when you brush?

What?

yeah, well you see...

And you thought this was normal?

Well, yes, its always been this way.

...You know we love you, right?

(I might have had a few convos of this nature myself. Maybe)

wldhrsjen3 April 8 2014, 14:38:03 UTC

LOL Yeah, it was very much like that! :D

costumenut April 8 2014, 13:58:37 UTC

I just use baking soda. Put it in a little container, wet the tooth brush, and scrub. I'll sometimes add a few drops of minty essential oil too.

wldhrsjen3 April 8 2014, 14:36:51 UTC

I used plain baking soda last night but it was almost too gritty for my gums just now... Once they heal a bit it will probably work fine. Have you had any cavity/gum issues just using baking soda?

costumenut April 8 2014, 16:52:56 UTC

None, but I never have either. And I know our drinking water has fluoride added to it, so maybe that's why?

raithen April 9 2014, 05:11:55 UTC

honestly, there is mixed opinion about whether fluoride helps, and there is some evidence that it can hinder.

buymeaclue April 8 2014, 14:17:00 UTC

Auuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugh! I'm so glad you finally know, but what a horrible thing to have suffered with for so long. O.o

wldhrsjen3 April 8 2014, 14:31:55 UTC

It's utterly ridiculous! I guess the exposure was in such small doses for so long I just never realized... I mean, it always burned but then I'd rinse with water and never think twice. I figured it was normal! But then when I started using fluoride mouthwash, I guess suddenly the exposure was over the reactivity threshold and suddenly my mouth was like NO MORE. :S On the plus side, now that I know what was causing/contributing to my gum issues, maybe I can finally prevent them! (But, really, who is allergic to toothpaste? I feel like a freak)

penella22 April 8 2014, 22:01:44 UTC

Well...I'm allergic to TAP WATER (when it has chloramine in it) so, hey, don't feel too bad!

wldhrsjen3 April 9 2014, 13:14:05 UTC

I was thinking about you, too - it's so frustrating to discover that something everyone takes for granted is something that triggers a reaction in you. I feel so bad for you! :(

lathriel April 8 2014, 15:52:16 UTC

I have virtually encyclopedic knowledge of why fluoride (and a whole lot of other things the AMA and ADA say are good for you) is the devil, but I stopped preaching a long time ago after my health teacher threatened to fail me on a research project, not because I didn't back up my facts, but because I was causing conflict in the classroom. :p (If you're interested in a little preaching: There's no research that shows fluoride to be beneficial past age 14, and in fact too much fluoride is known to cause spotting and discoloration on your teeth. Bone cancers increased dramatically in populations where fluoride was added to the water. The stuff is used in rat poison. And no mater how many times they say "but it's a small amount" remember that fluoride has a cumulative effect in the body, meaning it doesn't just pass through. The whole point is to get into your bones, right ( ... )

penella22 April 8 2014, 22:02:38 UTC

This. Seconded.

wldhrsjen3 April 9 2014, 13:12:46 UTC

Thank you so much! This makes me feel a lot better, actually, because I have been worried that if I can't use fluoride my teeth will all rot and fall out. :D

I ordered some Nature's Gate, Jason, and something else I can't recall to try, and I do have a tube of Tom's fluoride free. (But it is SO minty - yikes!) I am kind of excited to brush my teeth and NOT feel the burn. LOL