Stannous Fluoride

Why Stannous Fluoride?


There is a misconception that “all fluorides are the same”. That’s simply not true. Stannous fluoride is unique among fluoride compounds, offering multiple benefits not found with sodium fluoride or sodium monofluorophosphate. While all three compounds provide anti-caries benefits, stabilized stannous fluoride has demonstrated broader and significantly greater protection than other fluorides against plaque (Sharma et al. 2013; Garcia-Godoy et al. 2015), gingivitis (Archila et al. 2004; Mallatt et al. 2007), erosion (Hooper et al. 2007; West et al. 2017), sensitivity (Schiff et al. 2005; He et al. 2011) and halitosis (Farrell et al. 2007).

So why isn’t stannous fluoride used in every dentifrice? Stannous fluoride has some inherent challenges to formulate, requiring skill and expertise to ensure it is delivered in a bioavailable, esthetically pleasing dentifrice (White 2013). These challenges can be overcome by including extrinsic whitening agents and ingredients to stabilize the stannous fluoride (e.g., chelants), but it’s not a simple process. Decades of innovations by Procter & Gamble have resulted in the largest portfolio of stabilized stannous fluoride dentifrices available to improve patients’ oral health and provide a brushing experience that delights them.


The oral environment is an ecosystem comprised of diverse microorganisms. Plaque biofilms provide a protective matrix in which these bacteria reside. Factors such as oral hygiene, nutrition, and host response impact the toxicity of plaque biofilms and the extent to which they have harmful consequences on hard and soft tissues. Mechanical hygiene is commonly used to remove plaque biofilms, but it is well-recognized that most patients have sub-optimal oral hygiene, largely due to not following proper brushing technique and/or insufficient brushing time (Beals et al. 2000). Poor plaque removal can lead to various oral diseases (e.g., caries, gingivitis) and conditions (e.g., tooth stain, calculus). This is where the right dentifrice choice plays a critical role in protecting patients’ oral health and the appearance of their smile. Dentifrice is a convenient, cost-effective delivery system to provide fluoride, anti-bacterial agents and other ingredients that provide benefits beyond brushing alone. Dental professionals are in a unique position to educate patients on the best dentifrice option to address their specific oral health needs.


Patients often rely on the recommendation of dental professionals when making oral health choices. Many patients have questions about the use of stannous fluoride toothpaste. Help your patients understand the myths and facts here.



Reduction in Gingival Bleeding and Inflammation
Reduction in Gingival Bleeding and Inflammation Following Use of a Novel Stabilized Stannous Fluoride Dentifrice for 2 Months

At the end of a 2-month clinical trial, 100% of subjects using a novel stabilized stannous fluoride dentifrice demonstrated a reduction in the number of bleeding sites compared to baseline. For approximately 4 out of 5 subjects, bleeding was reduced by 40% or more.

Clinical Trial to Assess Subgingival Penetration
Clinical trial to assess Subgingival Penetration

Gingivitis is a common condition resulting in gingival bleeding and inflammation. Randomized controlled clinical trials show stabilized stannous fluoride dentifrice reduces gingivitis and plaque, the primary causative agent of gingivitis. Recent learnings also show its gingival health benefits are due in part to its effect on plaque virulence.


This video depicts the action of stannous fluoride in reducing gingivitis. Not only does it interact with plaque biofilm and kills some bacteria, the remaining bacteria also has difficulty metabolizing nutrients from our daily diet. This represents stannous fluoride toothpaste inhibiting the metabolic processes of the bacteria. As a result, fewer inflammatory toxins are produced as metabolic by-products. The overall load of inflammatory toxins has been reduced by both decreasing the number of bacteria and reducing the production of inflammatory toxins. The result is a reduction in the inflammation associated with gingivitis.

This video depicts the size of a stannous fluoride molecule relative to visible blood, food particles, toothbrush filament, foam bubbles, plaque bacteria, lipo-polysaccharide coating, and glucose molecules.


Stannous Fluoride Dentrifice
More Evidence for Stannous Fluoride Dentifrice

The latest innovation in the Pro-Health dentifrice family was carefully designed to deliver greater health and cosmetic benefits relative to various controls, while optimizing the brushing experience. Read the latest evidence behind stabilized stannous fluoride dentifrice in this special issue of The Journal of Clinical Dentistry.®

New Research on Stannous Fluoride
Stannous two step

A special issue of the American Journal of Dentistry summarizes clinical research demonstrating the significant gingival health efficacy of Crest Pro-Health [HD], including efficacy comparable to chlorhexidine via the stannous fluoride antibacterial dentifrice (step 1), with whitening from the hydrogen peroxide gel (step 2).


CE 410
CE 410

Fundamentals of Dentifrice: Oral Health Benefits in a Tube [Course Number: 410] 
Paula M. Koenigs, PhD; Robert V. Faller, BS


CE 94
ce94 intro

A History and Update of Fluoride Dentifrices [Course Number: 94]
James S. Wefel, PhD; Robert V. Faller, BS


CE 517
CE 517

Managing Dental Erosion: Current Understanding and Future Directions [Course Number: 517] 
Donald J. White, PhD; Warden H. Noble, DDS, MS, MSEd; Nicola West, BDS, FDSRCS, PhD FDS (Rest Dent)



What is Gingivitis

What is Gingivitis?

Did you know… 75% of Americans will experience gum disease at some point in their life? Gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease can be easily managed, prevented and treated.

Bleeding Gums

Bleeding Gums

Noticing bleeding gums while brushing or flossing can cause alarm. Often the cause of bleeding gums is as simple as brushing too hard, but in some instances it can be a symptom of something more serious.

What is Gum Disease

What is Gum Disease?


Dentists, dental hygienists and patients

Stannous Fluoride VS Sodium Fluoride

Stannous fluoride is an anti-bacterial agent that's clinically proven to protect against gingivitis, plaque and tooth sensitivity, while still providing the trusted cavity protection you expect from Crest. Although sodium fluoride protects against cavities, it doesn't provide protection from these other conditions.