I’m comparing two different toothpaste that I’m interested in switching to. The first toothpaste outlines the fluoride content as follows- sodium monofluorophosphate 0.76% (0.15% w/v fluoride ion)
The second toothpaste outlines the fluoride content as follows- Sodium fluoride (0,243 % p/p)
Is one better than the other? If so, why is that?
In: Chemistry
Sodium fluoride delivers fluoride ions more directly, and since the second toothpaste has a higher fluoride concentration, it may offer slightly better protection against cavities. However, both are effective forms of fluoride, and the difference is relatively small.
Companies may opt for less sodium fluoride for sensitive teeth or children, etc.
If you search for sodium monofluorophosphate, you’ll find it’s not fluoride. It’s a different chemical. It does things for dental health very similar to what fluoride does, but it’s different.
That’s why the concentrations are different. Since they’re different chemicals, they work effectively with different “doses”.
Fluoride is the active ingredient, but fluoride is normally with something else bound onto it as a chemical compound. Toothpaste is generally used in larger quantities than is needed for the job, so differing levels of fluoride or what it is bound to are largely the same.
I haven’t seen p/p to list a concentration before.
0.15% w/v means that there is 0.15 grams/100ml of toothpaste.
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