I suffer the pain of canker sores. I can get up to 5 in the front of my mouth at a time when I am stressed. During each of my 2 pregnancies, I did not get any canker sores. When I asked my mother about this, she said that it is the fluoride in the toothpaste that causes these sores to become inflamed, and the reason that I did not get canker sores while I was pregnant was because the fetus absorbed the fluoride. She is not a doctor, but she had done alot of research to keep fluoride out of the public water in our town.

She recommendeds a toothpaste called Vademecum (made in Sweden by Henkel and Barnangen) which is available in a fluoride-free formula. Since I started using this product, my monthly suffering has been reduced.

I am writing you because I have never seen any research which links the cause of canker sore inflammations to fluoride.

Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, can be quite irritating and painful. Stress, trauma, and hormonal changes seem to contribute to the onset of canker sores. It is unclear what causes canker sores.

While there are certain ingredients in toothpaste which may cause adverse reactions, fluoride is not one of them. Ingredients that can irritate sores are detergents such as sodium lauryl sulfate, flavoring agents such as cinnamon oil, preservatives such as parabens, and antitartar products such as diphosphates. The adverse reactions, which are viewed as allergic responses, include redness, irritation, ulceration, dryness, inflammation, and a burning sensation in the mouth. It is very important to note that most of these described reactions are case histories; they are not controlled, scientific studies. This means there is little scientific evidence to support some of these claims.

Fluoride does not produce an allergic response. An allergy is a reaction to a substance the body recognizes as foreign. Simple ions, such as fluoride, calcium, and magnesium, are not recognized by the body as being foreign substances; therefore, no allergy to the fluoride ion can exist. In fact, the American Academy of Allergy, which has investigated case histories of purported fluoride allergies adopted a statement which says that there is no evidence of allergy or intolerance to fluoride used to fluoridate community water supplies.

One note about fluoride during pregnancy: Studies have shown that the placenta is not a barrier to fluoride. However, further studies show that there is only a partial transfer of fluoride through the placenta. While the mother's blood can be rapidly cleared of fluoride, there is only a slight increase in the fetal blood concentration of fluoride.

I don't think eliminating fluoride reduced the severity of your canker sores. I think another ingredient in the toothpaste was responsible for your improvement. If you like your current toothpaste, continue to use it. Realize, however, that you will not benefit from the cavity-fighting protection fluoride provides. Accordingly, maintain excellent oral hygiene to avoid cavities.