Is fluoride prohibited in Japan?

Did you know that there is no fluoride in toothpaste in Japan and no fluoridation in the water distributed in the country? Is that good or bad? Is there really no type of fluoride in Japanese products and water? In this article, we will discuss some curiosities related to fluoride in Japan.

It seems like a random topic, but it was one of the first observations I had when trying toothpaste from Japan and noticing that they have a completely different taste from toothpaste in Brazil. Practically most of the toothpaste in Japan is composed only of baking soda and does not contain fluoride like the toothpaste in Brazil.

This does not mean that fluoride is banned in the country; it is still possible to find some children’s or medicated toothpaste with a good composition of fluoride, but it is not something extremely popular and applied in the Japanese toothpaste market. In water, a low amount of up to 0.8 ppm of fluoride is allowed.

• Why do Japanese women cover their mouths when they laugh?

Why does Japan seem to dislike fluoride?

There is a great controversy surrounding fluoride worldwide; it is added to water and toothpaste to prevent cavities, but some studies prove that fluoride is actually unnecessary and can be harmful to human health. Until 1972, fluoridation (adding fluoride to water) was practiced by several provinces but was completely deactivated.

More than 90% of countries have drastically reduced fluoride or sometimes completely banned its composition in water, claiming that it is a poison that can even kill. Although the effects are not always visible, some studies suggest that fluoride contributes to aging. Perhaps the fact that there is no fluoride in water or toothpaste is one of the reasons why Japanese people do not show as much aging.

Fluoride can also cause reduced bone strength, leading to osteoporosis. Others report impacts on white blood cells, genetic damage, and even cancer. Fluoride can also cause a reduction in IQ and other damages. Of course, for these results, it is necessary to consume a lot of fluoride. It is believed that a 70g tube of toothpaste can kill a 10kg child.

For those who are unaware, pure fluoride is a highly corrosive yellow gas used to kill microbes, but it can also affect our cells. It is so corrosive that it can be used to corrode steel, glass, iron, and aluminum.

• Yaeba – Japanese with crooked teeth

Do Japanese people not use fluoride? Is fluoride toothpaste good or not?

This issue of fluoride seems like a political debate on the internet. Perhaps the lack of fluoride is responsible for the number of rotten teeth in many Japanese people, although I believe it is merely negligence on the part of individuals to visit the dentist. Unfortunately, the Japanese health plan does not include dental plans, and dental consultations are very expensive.

Although there is no fluoride in Japan’s water, almost all provinces encourage students to participate in a mouth rinsing program with fluoride. Consuming fluoride water can be harmful, but there are no major risks in using mouthwashes or other methods to prevent cavities.

Although the S-FMR program has been implemented throughout Japan, not all schools or students participate in the process of rinsing their mouths with fluoride. The number of participating schools is close to 10%, and few students take part in this incentive.

It is believed that only 10% of toothpaste in Japan contains fluoride. Other research indicates that the prevalence of dental cavities was high even in communities with a high ppm value in the water. In other words, the use of fluoride does not seem to be very advantageous for the Japanese or any human being.

I really don’t know how to opine or write seriously about this subject. I just wanted to share the conclusion I reached upon noticing this striking difference in the taste of toothpaste and water in Japan. What do you think about this topic? Did you know about this?