I totally get where you're coming from—I had braces for a couple years, and during that time I got super paranoid about fluoride too. Tried going fluoride-free, thinking it was healthier, but honestly, my teeth felt kinda gritty and sensitive after a while. My orthodontist explained how fluoride helps protect enamel, especially when you're dealing with braces and all that extra plaque buildup. Switched back, and things felt way better. I still use fluoride-free occasionally, but mostly stick to regular toothpaste now...feels like the best of both worlds.
I went through something similar recently. I read a bunch of articles online about fluoride and got myself pretty worked up—started using fluoride-free toothpaste for a few months. At first, it felt good mentally, like I was making a healthier choice, but then I noticed my teeth were getting more sensitive, especially to cold drinks. Eventually, I caved and switched back. Now I'm wondering if maybe there's a middle ground...like alternating between fluoride and fluoride-free? Has anyone tried that long-term? Curious if it actually helps or just confuses your teeth more, lol.
"At first, it felt good mentally, like I was making a healthier choice, but then I noticed my teeth were getting more sensitive..."
I totally get why you'd feel conflicted about this—there's so much info out there, it's easy to second-guess yourself. Alternating toothpaste types might seem like a good compromise, but honestly, consistency usually works better for sensitivity. Maybe try a fluoride toothpaste with fewer additives or a gentler formula? Either way, you're clearly thoughtful about your dental health, and that's already a big step forward.
I've noticed something similar—switched to a "natural" toothpaste thinking it'd be better, but ended up with sensitive spots too.
Makes me wonder if fluoride-free is really worth it long-term or just hype?"then I noticed my teeth were getting more sensitive..."
Fluoride-free can sound appealing, but honestly, fluoride is pretty essential for preventing sensitivity and cavities. I've seen patients switch and regret it later... I'd be cautious about ditching fluoride completely unless there's a specific medical reason. Better safe than sorry, imo.
