Fluoride Related Acne
Relating to my last post on toothpaste and acne, I found a study done by dermatologist Dr. Milton A. Saunders on an unusual cause of acne for some individuals. This dermatologist had approximately 65 patients with isolated acne-like eruptions which occurred near the corners of the mouth, sometimes fanning out towards the cheeks and chin. After considering possible causes for this distinctive type of acne formation, the only common factor among the patients was the use of fluoride toothpaste, which the dermatologist hypothesized might have been present in saliva that leaked from the corner of the mouth during sleep, seeping into pores and resulting in these small skin eruptions.
With no other clear skin treatments producing the desired results, Dr. Saunders decided to have these patients attempt switching their current toothpaste to a non-fluoride-containing alternative. Within a month, 50% of the participants had been cleared of the eruptions. The other 50% were found to be using additional dental treatments such as whitening strips. However, once these treatments were changed to alternative products using baking soda and a different commercially available mouthwash (Scope), the result of clear skin again followed. Interestingly, some participants in the study later decided to later resume using fluoride-based toothpastes, and without exception, these individuals noticed the return of acne-like eruptions in the same areas.
The exact reason for this connection between fluoride and acne is still unclear, but if you suffer from eruptions that specifically crop up along the corners of your mouth, changing your toothpaste to a non-fluoride-based alternative may indeed help you maintain clear skin.
