🦷 How Much Fluoride Is Really in Your Toothpaste? A Closer Look at Indian Brands

Fluoride toothpaste is one of our best defenses against cavities, but here’s something you might not know: not all toothpastes deliver the fluoride they promise.

A recent study tested 12 popular adult toothpaste brands in India to check how much fluoride they actually contain – and whether that fluoride is available in a form that helps prevent cavities.

🧪 What Was Tested?

Researchers measured:

• Total fluoride (TF) – the amount written on the label.

• Total soluble fluoride (TSF) – the part your teeth can actually use.

They used special lab equipment to test each brand, including well-known names like Colgate, Pepsodent, Sensodyne, and Close-Up.

🔍 Key Findings

1. 5 out of 12 toothpastes matched their label claims.

2. Some had less fluoride than promised, and a few had more than listed.

3. Toothpastes with silica (not calcium) as the abrasive had more usable fluoride.

4. Only 5 out of 12 had enough soluble fluoride (TSF) to effectively fight cavities.

🧴 What Makes Fluoride Less Effective?

Certain ingredients, especially calcium-based abrasives, can bind with fluoride and make it inactive. So even if a toothpaste says “1000 ppm fluoride,” only a part of it might actually be useful.

⚠️ Why This Matters

In countries like India where fluoride in water isn't always available, fluoride toothpaste becomes even more crucial. If toothpastes don’t deliver what they promise, it can affect public dental health.

✅ Tips for Choosing Toothpaste

• Check the expiry date.

• Look for silica-based pastes (not calcium carbonate).

• Choose brands that mention “1000 ppm fluoride”.

• Buy from trusted stores to avoid fake or expired products.

🧾 Conclusion

This study shows that while fluoride toothpaste is a powerful tool, not all toothpastes are created equal. If we want to truly protect our teeth, we need better regulation, quality control, and consumer awareness.

✅ Toothpastes That CAN Be Used (Good Fluoride Levels):

These toothpastes had enough usable (soluble) fluoride — meaning they are effective in preventing cavities:

1. Colgate Total 12

   • Fluoride: NaF

   • Abrasive: Silica

   • TSF: 1216 ppm

   • ✔️ High soluble fluoride

2. Sensodyne

   • Fluoride: MFP

   • Abrasive: Silica

   • TSF: 970 ppm

   • ✔️ Very close to 1000 ppm

3. Sensodent-KF

   • Fluoride: MFP

   • Abrasive: Not mentioned

   • TSF: 966 ppm

   • ✔️ Good amount of usable fluoride

4. Parodontax

   • Fluoride: NaF

   • Abrasive: Not mentioned

   • TSF: 982 ppm

   • ✔️ Effective

5. Senquel-F

   • Fluoride: MFP

   • Abrasive: Not mentioned

   • TSF: 1203 ppm

   • ✔️ Very high soluble fluoride

❌ Toothpastes That SHOULD BE AVOIDED (Low Fluoride Effectiveness):

These had low Total Soluble Fluoride (TSF) — meaning less protection against cavities:

1. Colgate Sensitive

   • Fluoride: MFP

   • Abrasive: Calcium carbonate

   • TSF: 868 ppm

   • ❌ Less fluoride available

2. Pepsodent Germi Check

   • Fluoride: MFP

   • Abrasive: Calcium carbonate

   • TSF: 864 ppm

   • ❌ Ineffective due to calcium binding

3. Cibaca

   • Fluoride: MFP

   • Abrasive: Calcium carbonate

   • TSF: 841 ppm

   • ❌ Low usable fluoride

4. Anchor

   • Fluoride: MFP

   • Abrasive: Calcium carbonate

   • TSF: 825 ppm

   • ❌ Not recommended

⚖️ Middle Ground – Fair, But Not the Best:

These are close to the recommended level, but just under the mark:

1. Close-Up Deep Action

   • TSF: 933 ppm

   • Just below 1000 ppm

2. Colgate Gel

   • TSF: 935 ppm

3. Pepsodent Gum Care

   • TSF: 957 ppm

👉 These might be okay, but better options are available.

Final Advice for Readers:

• Go for toothpaste with 1000 ppm fluoride or more.

• Prefer silica-based abrasives over calcium-based ones.

• Always check expiry dates and buy from reliable sources to avoid fake products.