Toothpaste and acne

[Joric]

Why do patients believe that toothpaste clears acne?

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[toofache32]

Because acne is caused by cavities. Everyone knows that. Geez.

 

[salmonella]

Because toothpaste contains fluoride which has anti-bacterial effect.

 

[Joric]

Because toothpaste contains fluoride which has anti-bacterial effect.

If fluoride is that effective, why it is not formulated for acne treatment?

 

[acrunchyfrog]

because the plain white colgate looks just like "oxy-10", so it must work!

 

[ManualPick]

I get this question a lot in the pharmacy.

 

[goodies]

so whats the answer?

 

[Puffle]

I actually had an attending in my 3rd year derm rotation tell some of his patiens not to use fluoride-containing toothpaste. He explained the ion itself induces some over-activity in sebum production and an inflammatory response. It was most prominent at the corners of the mouth, supposedly worse on the side they favored sleeping on, as that is where drool would pool out, carrying out the fluoride.

He was rather "old-school", but I did find a journal article from the 60s that backed it up.

 

[MagicalTrevor]

There is some merit behind the idea of using toothpaste as acne medication. Toothpaste contains triclosan which is an antibacterial/antifungal agent that also is found in some acne face wash.

 

[Raechel]

Ok so it seems the the answers here are conflicting. However, since the article mentioned is dated in the 60s would it be safe to say that the fact that it does contain triclosan will at least not aggravate acne?