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Claim: An Instagram user, unfilteredr3ailty, posted a video claiming toothpaste is “the most poisonous thing to put in the mouth” and that fluoride can “kill the brain.”
Verdict: Misleading. Credible scientific evidence does not support the claim that fluoride in toothpaste is dangerous and harmful to the brain. Dentists also confirm that fluoride is an essential nutrient for teeth and overall oral health, and it does not cause brain damage when used as directed.
Full Text
A video shared by Instagram user unfilteredr3ailty claims that toothpaste is highly dangerous. The user described it as “the most poisonous thing you can put in your mouth” and warned that fluoride damages the brain.
As of Sept. 17, 2025, the post had gained over 5,900 shares, 179 comments, and 4,700 likes.
In the comment section, users expressed mixed reactions. Lesley.harris wrote, “Getting ridiculous, now we can’t even brush our teeth. Everything we eat is bad for us. What used to be considered healthy has parasites. We may as well lie down and die.”
Another user, Teen_minute2020, argued for alternatives, saying, “Use baking soda… it’s cheap AND IT’S natural… just bought two boxes…. it’ll last for almost two years!!!!!! You’re welcome!!!!¡”
Meanwhile, Mackayderksenunderhill countered the claim by sharing personal experience: “I had fluoride tablets as a child, and I use fluoride toothpaste, and I am nearly 76 years old, and I am fine! And as a child, I’ve actually eaten it, too.”
DUBAWA decided to fact-check the claim because toothpaste is a daily essential.
What science says
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral added to toothpaste to help prevent tooth decay. Most toothpaste contains fluoride concentrations between 1,000 and 1,500 parts per million (ppm), a safe range endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
According to Medical News Today, fluoride does not pose a risk to the brain. Serious side effects, such as dental or skeletal fluorosis, only occur with long-term exposure to extremely high amounts of fluoride, far exceeding the levels of regular toothpaste use. Since toothpaste is applied topically and not meant to be swallowed, the risk is minimal, especially when using a pea-sized amount.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention recommends supervised brushing to prevent children from swallowing excess toothpaste, which can contribute to dental fluorosis (tooth discolouration). However, fluoride toothpaste is safe and effective for oral health when used correctly.
Experts view
A dental practitioner, Timileyin Daniel, explained that fluoride is recognised globally as a vital nutrient.
“The Federal Register of the United States Food and Drug Administration classified fluoride as an essential nutrient. This is also supported by the WHO expert committee on trace elements, which listed fluoride among the top 14 physiologically essential elements,” he said.
Timileyin stressed that if fluoride posed any danger, respected health bodies would not hesitate to highlight it.
He said that, like every other drug or substance, an overdose can lead to poisoning, especially in children due to accidental ingestion. Still, brain damage has never been listed as one of the effects.
“The claims linking fluoride to brain harm were mostly spread by individuals marketing alternatives to fluoride toothpaste. Moreover, the amount of fluoride in toothpaste is so minimal that it cannot cause an overdose, and there are clear protocols in place for handling accidental ingestion by children,” he added.
Deborah Babatope, a dentist therapist, also debunked the notion that fluoride is harmful, stressing that it is one of the minerals teeth need to remain healthy.
“Fluoride is not dangerous; as a matter of fact, it is very good for the teeth. The only time it could pose a risk is when taken in excess, particularly for pregnant women, because of potential effects on the developing baby’s brain. However, at minimal or recommended levels, it does not cause brain damage. Fluoride keeps the teeth stronger and more efficient, and most of the foods we eat and the water we drink already contain some fluoride,” she explained.
Deborah added that Nigerian toothpaste brands generally contain a safe amount of fluoride, unlike some foreign countries, where fluoride occurs naturally in water supplies, making non-fluoride toothpaste more common.
“In Nigeria, fluoride levels are relatively low, which makes fluoride toothpaste even more important in maintaining oral health and preventing cavities,” she said.
Conclusion
The claim that fluoride toothpaste is harmful to the brain is misleading. Scientific evidence shows that, when used as directed, fluoride toothpaste is both safe and beneficial for protecting teeth against decay.
