Does Stannous Flouride Really Stain Teeth? (9+ Verified Benefits)

This blogpost will help you understand about “stannous fluoride teeth staining”. And will also further the following topics:What Is Stannous Fluoride Used for in Toothpaste?

What is fluoride?

Benefits of stannous fluoride for the teeth

How does a toothpaste with stannous fluoride compare to one without?

Should I use a stannous fluoride mouth rinse?

What’s the difference between stannous fluoride and sodium fluoride?

Sodium Fluoride vs. Stannous Fluoride: Which is best for me?

When to see a doctor

Oral health best practises

Stannous fluoride teeth staining

The most common complaint about stannous fluoride was that it discoloured teeth. It also had an awful flavour and left a gritty aftertaste in the tongue.

There’s still a chance of discoloration if you have stannous fluoride treatment from your dentist. This is owing to the fact that fluoride concentrations in office treatments are greater.

There appear to be greater issues about fluoride than stannous fluoride forms in general.

Human carcinogen status for stannous fluoride is unknown. Regardless of the type of toothpaste used, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on small children to make sure they don’t swallow it.

What is fluoride?

Fluoride is a mineral present in water, soil, and the atmosphere. Fluoride is included in almost all water, however fluoride levels vary depending on where your water originates from.

Fluoride is also added to a lot of public water systems. The quantity of fluoride supplied varies by region, and not all locations use it.

Fluoride is added to toothpaste and drinking water because it can help with:

prevent cavities

strengthen weakened tooth enamel

reverse early tooth decay

limit the growth of oral bacteria

slow the loss of minerals from tooth enamel

Fluoride toothpaste contains a higher concentration of fluoride than fluoridated water does, and it’s not meant to be swallowed.

There’s some debate over the safety of fluoride, including fluoride toothpaste, but the American Dental Association still recommends it for both children and adults. The key is to use it correctly.

What Is Stannous Fluoride Used for in Toothpaste?

Plaque bacteria development is one of the most common reasons of bleeding gums. If plaque isn’t eliminated by brushing and flossing on a regular basis, it can irritate the gums, resulting in gingivitis, or red, puffy, and bleeding gums. Stannous fluoride is an antibacterial component (chemical substance) that works to prevent plaque bacteria from forming in the mouth. Its antibacterial action helps to enhance gum health by preventing plaque bacteria from returning after brushing twice a day.

Benefits of stannous fluoride for the teeth

Like other forms of fluoride, stannous fluoride helps protect your teeth from tooth decay. More specifically, this type of fluoride can:

protect against cavities

reduce plaque buildupTrusted Source, as well as subsequent tartar (hardened plaque)

strengthen tooth enamel

reduce risk of gingivitis and related bleedingTrusted Source

decrease odor-causing bacteria in the mouth for fresher breath

reduce tooth sensitivity

whiten teeth

provide corrective action from acid damage

reduce complications related to dry mouth

In addition to using it at home in your toothpaste, stannous fluoride may also be applied once or twice a year as a protective treatment during your regular dental cleanings.

These fluoride treatments are applied to your teeth as a gel or foam and left on for many minutes. Source you can trust. If you have a higher risk of tooth decay, you may need to see your dentist more frequently for these procedures.

How does a toothpaste with stannous fluoride compare to one without?

The purpose of toothpaste is to clean your teeth in order to avoid cavities. Such advantages may be found in any toothpaste, regardless of whether it includes stannous fluoride. However, toothpastes containing stannous fluoride are advised if you wish to get greater dental health advantages.

Stannous fluoride toothpaste is available over the counter at most grocery shops and pharmacies, as well as online.

Should I use a stannous fluoride mouth rinse?

A daily mouthwash with stannous fluoride is recommended. It’s commonly used in the morning after brushing your teeth to provide more protection and fresher breath.

While this form of mouthwash can be used in conjunction with toothpaste that contains stannous fluoride, not everyone has to use mouthwash if they clean their teeth twice a day.

If you’re still having difficulties with cavities, gingivitis, or bad breath despite good dental hygiene, your doctor may suggest mouthwash.

Over-the-counter stannous fluoride mouthwash is available at most grocery shops and pharmacies, as well as online.

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What’s the difference between stannous fluoride and sodium fluoride?

Another kind of fluoride included in oral health products, such as toothpastes, is sodium fluoride. It can protect your teeth from cavities while also strengthening your enamel. However, it lacks stannous fluoride’s ability to treat gingivitis, prevent tooth decay, and freshen your breath.

In one investigation, stannous fluoride was shown to be considerably more efficient in killing bacteria than sodium fluoride.

As a general rule, stannous fluoride is the fluoride of choice for your dental health if you’re searching for all-around protection (rather than simply cavity prevention). When it comes to tooth decay prevention, sodium fluoride isn’t enough.

Sodium Fluoride vs. Stannous Fluoride: Which is best for me?

The two main active components in contemporary toothpastes are sodium fluoride and stannous fluoride, with sodium fluoride being the more frequent. Both are cavity-preventative. The benefit of stannous fluoride is that it has an antibacterial impact on the bacteria that cause gum disease; nevertheless, any toothpaste will physically eliminate gum disease germs through thorough brushing and flossing. Tooth discoloration is a drawback of stannous fluoride, which might be difficult or impossible to eradicate.

For the vast majority of patients, sodium fluoride is unnecessary since brushing and flossing can physically remove gum disease-causing plaque, and a rinse like Listerine can offer an antibacterial benefit – all without discoloration. Patients who don’t mind staining and want to “throw everything in the closet” against gum disease, maybe owing to early start, familial history, dry mouth, or immunocompromise due to head and neck radiation, might benefit from stannous fluoride. In the end, everyone’s oral chemistry is different, and stannous fluoride may be a useful supplement to brushing, flossing, and frequent dental cleanings for many people. However, it is not required.

When to see a doctor

Routine cleanings and checkups should be scheduled with your dentist every six months at the very least. You don’t have to wait until your six-month appointment if you detect something strange with your teeth. If you see any of the following, call for an appointment:

bleeding gums, especially after brushing and flossing

painful teeth or gums

increased tooth sensitivity, or pain when you eat or drink

loose teeth

chipped or broken teeth

spots on your teeth, tongue, or gums

Oral health best practises

The amount of stannous fluoride in your mouth is only a minor element of your total dental health. The following best practises will help you improve your dental health:

Brush your teeth twice a day at the very least.

Brush your teeth in little, soft circles around the gum lines rather than directly across them.

Floss at least once a day (usually before brushing).

Cleanings and visits with your dentist are recommended every two years.

Fruit juice, soda, and other sugary beverages should be used in moderation.

Acidic fruits should be consumed in moderation.

Limit the quantity of starches you consume. They cling to your teeth and cause tartar to form.