How to Clean Your Toothbrush
The National Tooth and Gums Association (NTGA) is warning people against using toothbrush blades, toothbrushes, toothpaste and other household items to clean their teeth.
In a letter to members, NTGA chairman and executive director Dr. John B. Scott said people should also avoid toothpaste that contains lead, as the chemicals may leach into the mouth.
The letter also called for the use of a fluoride-free toothpaste to help prevent dental fluorosis.
The NTGA’s letter comes on the heels of a recent report in the British Medical Journal that suggested fluoride might be causing the growth of tooth decay in children in the United Kingdom.
While the report doesn’t suggest the tooth decay is caused by fluoride, it is not encouraging and should be avoided.
According to the report, the U.K. has the highest rate of dental fluoroses in the developed world.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the U,S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are among the agencies that have identified fluoride as a possible risk factor for developing dental fluoroesis, or tooth decay.
The report comes on top of a 2016 study that suggested children with high levels of mercury in their saliva may be at higher risk for developing fluorosis in the future.
The National Tooth and Gums Association (NTGA) is warning people against using toothbrush blades, toothbrushes, toothpaste and other household items…
