WHAT IS STANNOUS FLUORIDE?
All fluorides are not created equal. Stannous fluoride is used in oral health care products to help prevent tooth decay and strengthen weakened enamel. However, it’s also unique among fluoride alternatives because it offers multiple benefits not found in sodium fluoride or sodium monofluorophosphate.
When you add food and fluids to the saliva in your mouth, that equals fertile breeding grounds for the plaque bacteria needs to grow. That spells trouble for your tooth enamel. Fluoride in toothpaste is extremely effective at strengthening plaque-damaged enamel, so if you want strong teeth without cavities, it’s recommended you brush using a toothpaste with fluoride as an active ingredient.
The most commonly used fluoride sources today are stannous fluoride, sodium fluoride, and sodium monofluorophosphate. But stannous fluoride has multiple benefits not available to other fluorides.
HOW DOES STANNOUS FLUORIDE WORK?
Not only does stannous fluoride deliver cavity fighting fluoride, it also has properties that:
Fight plaque
Inhibit plaques growth and ability to attach to oral surfaces
Reduces bacterial byproducts that lead to gingivitis.
In addition to protecting against plaque and cavities, stannous fluoride also helps prevent sensitivity pain from triggers such as hot or cold liquids and foods. Stannous fluoride is the active ingredient in Crest Pro Health and Crest Gum toothpastes, and protects against plaque/ gingivitis, tooth sensitivity and cavities, making it the only fluoride source that fights all three. It also provides protection against erosion and bad breath. And while sodium fluoride protects against cavities, it doesn't provide protection from these other conditions.
STANNOUS FLUORIDE PRODUCTS
But early stannous fluoride wasn’t perfect. It required skill and expertise to ensure that it worked properly and tasted good in your mouth. However, through decades of innovation, Stannous fluoride is now a viable ingredient in toothpastes, most notably Oral-B Overnight Protect.
STANNOUS FLUORIDE TOOTHPASTES
All toothpastes with fluoride fight cavities. But a toothpaste with stannous fluoride provides the same anti-cavity protection, but with other the added benefits of plaque, gingivitis, acid erosion, and sensitivity safeguards.