Final answer:
Effective toothpaste for root caries prevention contains 1,000 to 1,100 ppm fluoride in the United States and about 1,450 ppm in Europe. Stannous fluoride is notably effective against dental caries and gingivitis, although it may cause some staining. The effectiveness of fluoride in preventing dental decay increases with its concentration in the toothpaste.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concentration of fluoride in toothpaste has been the subject of various studies to determine its efficacy in the prevention of root caries. It has been proven that toothpastes containing 1,000 to 1,100 parts per million (ppm) fluoride are effective in the United States, while in European countries, a common concentration is about 1,450 ppm fluoride. Fluoride helps in the prevention of tooth decay by becoming incorporated into the tooth enamel and combating the acids produced by bacteria in the mouth.
Beyond toothpaste, fluoride is also commonly added to community water supplies, known as community water fluoridation, which is considered a cost-effective method to reduce tooth decay by approximately 25%. Toothpaste with a fluoride concentration below 1,000 ppm may not be as effective in preventing caries, and the preventive effect of fluoride generally increases with concentration.
Moreover, stannous fluoride (SnF2), although causing more surface stains, has shown to be particularly effective in reducing dental caries and controlling gingivitis compared to sodium fluoride (NaF). Other fluoride-containing products like mouth rinses and dietary supplements also contribute to oral health, supplementing the benefits derived from fluoride toothpaste.