DR. SHARP NATURAL ORAL CARE FLUORIDE-FREE FACTS:

* Recommended for children and adults
* Can be used as much and as often as desired
* May be kept within reach of children
* Because it’s fluoride-free, there’s no need to worry about swallowing this natural toothpaste while brushing
* No restrictions!
* No animal testing ever!

Studies show that fluoride can cause a wide range of health problems, from dental fluorisis (children at risk), and thyroid disorders to osteoporosis, yet hardly a market or a drugstore carries a fluoride-free toothpaste. Few have been designed so far.

The beauty of our formula is that it is founded upon the fluoride-free concept and philosophy, offering a natural alternative to fluoride toothpaste for a clean and health-feeling mouth.

For those who would like to learn about the fluoride controversy, we recommend the following web sites that discuss in detail the fluoride options: www.iaomt.com / Dr. David Kennedy, www.mercola.com /Dr. Mercola and the books Fluoride The Aging Factor by John Yiamoyanis, Fluoride The Great Dilemma, by George Waldbott, and The Fluoride Deception, by Christopher Bryson.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT FLUORIDE IN TOOTHPASTE:

* What kind of fluoride is used in toothpaste?

This is a bit technical. Pro-fluoridationists like to say “the fluoride ion is the fluoride ion.” However this is misleading since fluoride supplements have included sodium fluoride (Naf)(the one used in rat studies), other mineral salts of fluoride, and two varieties of silicon-fluorides (SiFs) that are made from waste products of the fertilizer industry. These SiFs not only have different effects than NaF but also are contaminated with numerous toxic compounds. These are the “fluorides” that are most commonly put in fluoride water.

* Does this fluoride actually help with dental health?

Topical fluoride applied directly to teeth (as in toothpaste) works by killing Strep mutans, the bacterial that turns sugar and starches into acid that dissolves enamel. This, of course, inhibits the Strep mutans. The problem is that each brushing with fluoridated toothpaste results in the absorption of fluoride (through the mouth and gingival tissue) equal to that of a day’s worth of fluoridated water. When taken systemically, as by swallowing it or from depot injections, most authorities agree that fluoride has no dental benefit. Fluoride contamination of bottled drinks and foods is so ubiquitous that all children in the U.S. are fluoridated by diet alone. There is no need to add more. There are good studies that show that the major difference in so-called “fluoridated” children and “un-fluoridated” children is an increase in dental fluorosis, with no difference in cavity rates.

* Why does the American Dental Association promote fluoridation for Dental health?

The ADA promotes fluoridation to promote the sale of fluoridated toothpaste (they make a lot of money from putting their seal of approval on toothpaste brands) and the practice of fluoride application to children’s teeth in the dental office, which is a very lucrative practice. There is no evidence that it reduces the rate of tooth decay and therefore does not reduce the need to see the dentist for cavity rate (which would reduces their dental business if it worked) but the fact is it doesn’t work. The ADA receives a lot of money if the form of research grants for misleading research they like to do. The underlying engine for this strange behavior is their connection to the major industries that have fluoride as a waste product. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) severely restricts disposal of this waste. However, the EPA does not regulate fluoride disposal in municipal water supplies. Therefore, the industries solve their fluoride disposal problem by selling it to unsuspecting communities for dribbling it away in drinking water. Big bucks are involved here.

* Is fluoridation beneficial for Drinking Water?

No, there is no evidence in the paste 20 years of any benefit of fluoride in drinking water. The historical references supposedly claiming a dental benefit have all been found to be badly designed or deliberately deceptive. When re-examinations of dental health in cities (such as Grand Forks, Newburg, etc.) that were used in early fluoride tests, it is found that there is no difference in the dental health of the children when compared to non-fluoridated cities.

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Why did European Countries ban the use Fluoridation?

European countries and Japan have banned fluoridation because their scientists found no credible evidence of benefit and did find sufficient concerns regarding the safety of fluoride in drinking water. Our scientists at the EPA are unanimous in their opinion that fluoridation should be discontinued. Unfortunately, the EPA administrators are politically appointed people who are aligned with the major industries and therefore they continue to maintain the mythical virtues of fluoride.

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What is dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis ? Is there growing evidence of other even more serious medical consequences?

Dental fluorosis is a fluoride-induced destructive process that appears as mottling of the teeth that are in contact with fluoridated water when drinking it. The mottling may be slightly or severe, in which case the teeth have dark spots that socially undesirable and difficult to treat. In addition, the strength of the enamel is poor in children with dental fluorosis. Dental fluorosis should be considered a marker for fluoride toxicity elsewhere in the body, such as the bones. It causes accumulation of calcium fluoride in bones, joints, and ligaments, and may even make the bones look more dense on X-ray. However, the quality of the bones (and specially bone strength) is decreased by fluoride. An Editorial in the NEJM of decade or more ago was entitled “ Fluoride and Bone-Quantity Yes, Quantity No.” Over time, the spinal bones become more rigidly bound together, thus inhibiting normal flexion, and the spine becomes essentially rigid (known as poker-back spine). Fluoride also causes painful joints and ligaments. The early stages of skeletal fluorosis can not be diagnosed by X-ray. Patients with the early stages (called pre-clinical) of skeletal fluorosis are frequently misdiagnosed as arthritis and treated non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, usually without success. Even when, in the more advance cases, the X-ray shows more dense bones, the diagnosis of fluoride toxicity is rarely made in the U.S.

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How does this affect Children’s Health?

Compare to unfluoridated communities, fluoridates children have a higher incidence and more prominent dental fluorosis, they are more likely to suffer arm fractures when playing in Little League, and their immune system suffers damage. Fluoride inhibits digestive enzymes and leads to eating problems in children and adults. Recent research shows that children of fluoridated communities are more likely to be involved in gangs and antisocial activities. They are less likely to deal with frustration in a constructive fashion. Tests of rats show brain damage from intrauterine or early childhood exposure to fluoride, leading to behavioral disorders similar to attention deficit syndromes and an inability to resolve problems they face in future life.

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Are there any studies relating Fluoridation to current diseases or illnesses?

Yes. Visit web sites: www.iaomt.com (Dr. Kennedy articles) and www.mercola.com

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What can we do?

Obviously, we should choose to avoid fluoride intake. As a member of the International Society of Fluoride Research (ISFR), I have met scientist from around the world who are hired by government health services to find ways to diminish or eliminate fluoride exposure in people’s lives. They are all aghast at the U.S. practice of hiring scientist to perpetuate the continued exposure to fluoride. Some easy changes to improve the situation are eliminating fluoride from the public water supply, and avoid using fluoridated toothpaste. Other sources are more difficult to avoid. Effluent from industries contaminate our rivers and streams. Even if your community does not fluoridate its water, it is possible that you live downstream from communities that do fluoridate. Companies that sell bottled drinks should be made to indicate the fluoride concentration in the drinks they sell. At present, the nutritional information listed on food items does not include fluoride. Atmospheric fluoride occurs when some industry allows fluoride waste to spew out of its smokestacks. It can kill trees 50 miles downwind, and will contaminate the pastures and fields where cows graze or crops are grown. Fluoride in our foods chain is so high that the fluoride absorbed from children’s food is equal to the daily dose once promulgated as optimal by fluoridation promoters. Just for that reason alone, there is no reason to add additional fluoride to anyone.