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Strontium Chloride Toothpaste
Juna L.
Status: other
Age: 30s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 16-11-2002
I noted the question and answer attached below my
paragraph and would appreciate amplification. Several years ago I went
to a dentist due to sensitive teeth. He recommended I use Sensodyne with
the active ingredient of "Strontium Chloride". I was living in the
Middle East with the military at the time and had no problem finding that
specific product in local drugstores. Now that I am back in the U.S., I
cannot find it. Is there a reason it would be sold overseas but would
not be safe enough to be sold in the U.S.? It really is the only active
ingredient that works to alleviate my sensitive teeth. What
gives? What are the uses of strontium chloride? Can we use it
for toothpaste application? If yes, what is the recommended dosage?
Replies:
Juna,
Strontium chloride has a sharp bitter taste and it is toxic by ingestion
or inhalation. It is certainly nothing one would want to use in
toothpaste. I'm curious as to what prompted your question.
I use Sensodyne. I checked the label and it contains potassium nitrate. It
seems to work just fine. I can find it at WalMart, Jewel, all the major
chains. I think Colgate also makes a sensitive toothpaste, but I do not know
what is in it. I keep it away from my kids, and am careful not to swallow
it. You may want to talk to your dentist about a fluoride gel
application--one of my dentists years ago prescribed it for me because there
was some research to indicate that it actually sealed sensitive areas. I
don't know the current status of the research, and the Sensodyne and Colgate
seem to work just fine.
Pat Rowe
I concur with the response that strontium chloride is toxic. According
to the Merck Index its minimum lethal dosage (MLD) is 400 mg./kg
(intravenous in rats). Of course, this is the acute toxicity. Its long term
toxicity at low levels is an entirely different issue. In addition, toxicity
is dose related. Example, the LD50 (rats orally) = 180 mg/kg of sodium
fluoride, which IS used in toothpaste. In humans it is lethal at a dose of
1-10gm. Merck Index also indicates that strontium chloride is used as a gum
desensitizer under the commercial name "Elecol". I do not know if it is
available in the U.S., if so it would undoubtedly be a prescription
medication and not "over-the-counter". You would have to consult your
dentist or peridontist about that. Each nation sets its own standards
regarding medications, so frequently a drug is available over seas and not
in the U.S. and vice versa.
Vince Calder
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