Niacinamide vs Fluoride Toothpaste
Fluoride has long been the go-to active ingredient in toothpaste, especially formulas focused on cavity prevention. It’s proven, and despite the concerns on its safety, it’s still the most popular choice today.
But we’re witnessing a trend where consumers are willing to take a chance on new formulas, including niacinamide toothpastes. This active ingredient is a form of vitamin B3 that’s less focused on cavity prevention and more tailored to improving gum health.
So, is niacinamide toothpaste better than fluoride? Not necessarily. Choosing between niacinamide vs fluoride toothpaste really comes down to what matters most to you. Is it your teeth, or is it your gums?
We’ll take a closer look at the most important differences between niacinamide toothpaste vs fluoride toothpaste below. Just know that you don’t have to choose between gum health or plaque removal. You can enjoy the best of both worlds with our gel toothpaste.
LIVFRESH is powered by a patented ingredient called Activated Edathamil. It targets every element of oral health, reducing plaque 250% better while improving gum health 190% more. It may even support tooth remineralization!
Our formula is backed by 26 clinical studies, and thousands of dentists recommend it to their patients for one simple reason: it works! Order your first tube risk-free today and experience the difference firsthand.
“Noticable difference on the tartar on my teeth and improvement on my gums.” - Robert
“This has removed stains on my lower front teeth that had been there for years that no whitening toothpaste ever even touched! And plaque is beginning to go away! Thank you!” - Leah
“It really cleans your teeth, exceptionally smooth after brushing.” - Gabriel
Fast Facts on Niacinamide vs Fluoride Toothpaste
|
Factor |
Niacinamide |
Fluoride |
Activated Edathamil (LIVFRESH) |
|
Mechanism + key benefits |
Supportive additive; may help keep teeth smooth and the mouth balanced. Benefits still emerging. |
Strengthens enamel and prevents cavities by forming a harder mineral layer; stannous versions also help with bacteria and sensitivity. |
Targets the plaque matrix and the plaque–tooth bond to reduce buildup and make teeth easier to clean; studies show less plaque and better gum comfort. May remineralize teeth. |
|
Sensitivity & comfort |
Generally gentle; limited data for sensitivity relief. |
Often helps sensitivity (especially stannous fluoride), though some users notice taste changes or temporary staining. |
Non-abrasive gel without SLS; designed to be gentle on gums and enamel. |
|
Safety & tolerability |
Well tolerated; long-term cavity protection data is limited. |
Safe when used as directed; avoid swallowing. Over-ingestion in kids can contribute to fluorosis. |
Fluoride-free and SLS-free; no triclosan or parabens; naturally derived flavoring and an optional naturally derived foaming agent. |
|
Clinical backing |
Early oral-care evidence; most research is from skincare. |
Decades of strong evidence for caries prevention and enamel re-hardening. |
26 clinical studies specific to the LIVFRESH formulation showing reduced plaque and improved gum metrics. |
|
Best fit for |
Curious users who want a gentle, supportive ingredient and set expectations accordingly. |
Anyone prioritizing proven cavity defense and comfortable with fluoride. |
People focused on plaque reduction and gum comfort who prefer a fluoride-free, clinically tested option. |
|
Availability |
Selective products from a few brands. |
Common across most mass-market toothpastes. |
Exclusive to LIVFRESH toothpaste. |
What is Fluoride Toothpaste?
You’re plenty familiar with fluoride toothpaste - it’s probably what you’ve been using your whole life to this point. It’s endorsed by dental associations worldwide, with a claim to fame in strengthening tooth enamel and preventing cavities.
Fluoride works by binding with the tooth surface and forming a mineral called fluoroapatite, which is harder and more resistant to acid attacks from bacteria and food. This not only helps prevent new cavities but can also reverse very early signs of enamel breakdown before they develop into full-blown decay.
Different forms of fluoride appear in toothpaste, including:
- Sodium fluoride,
- Stannous fluoride
- Sodium monofluorophosphate
Each has slightly different properties. For instance, stannous fluoride may bring extra anti-gingivitis and anti-sensitivity benefits, while sodium fluoride focuses more directly on enamel hardening.
Across the board, however, fluoride is one of the most studied ingredients in oral care and dentistry. But that doesn’t mean it’s without its concerns.
Fluoride has to be used in very controlled amounts, especially in children, where there’s a heightened risk of dental fluorosis - a condition that creates white streaks or spots on developing teeth.
Even healthy adults are starting to take issue with fluoride, seeking a more natural or minimalist approach to oral care. The good news is you can get a lot of the same benefits of fluoride in a much gentler, and dare we say, more effective formula - like our plaque removal toothpaste.
What is Niacinamide Toothpaste?
It may not be as popular as the other half of our niacinamide vs fluoride toothpaste comparison, but that’s quickly starting to change as more people discover what this ingredient can do.
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that’s been used in skincare for a long time now because it can strengthen the skin barrier and can help reduce inflammation. Oral care brands have caught on to its potential and begun incorporating it in toothpastes, hoping to extend its protective qualities to the gums and oral tissues.
Instead of focusing on hardening enamel like fluoride, niacinamide takes the role of a supportive nutrient for soft tissue health inside the mouth. It may help reduce irritation, improve gum resilience, and keep the oral cavity in a balanced state.
The theory is that by supporting a healthier inflammatory response and encouraging cellular repair, niacinamide can indirectly help with issues like bleeding gums or discomfort while brushing. Some brands have gone as far as saying it can help neutralize oxidative stress in the mouth, which contributes to oral tissue breakdown over time.
That said, niacinamide’s role in oral care is still very new, and research is limited compared to more established ingredients. While there is plenty of research on its place in skincare, there really aren’t any studies showing how well it works in toothpaste. A lot of it is anecdotal evidence, or extrapolations from dermatology research.
Still, niacinamide toothpaste sounds like a great fluoride alternative if you’re looking for something different, especially if your issues are focused mainly around the gums.
That said, is it the best toothpaste for receding gums? Definitely not - LIVFRESH is clinically proven to improve gum health by 190% more than leading brands, and users stop seeing bleeding gums as soon as 4 weeks after making the upgrade.
More on our formula in a moment. First, let’s compare niacinamide vs fluoride toothpaste side by side below to help you gain a clearer understanding of their differences.
Niacinamide Toothpaste vs Fluoride Toothpaste: Key Differences to Consider
Just like in comparing hydroxyapatite toothpaste vs fluoride toothpaste, choosing between niacinamide toothpaste vs fluoride toothpaste all comes down to what matters more to you. Is it plaque removal and cavity prevention, or gum health?
Here are the differences between niacinamide vs fluoride toothpaste you should know.
Evidence and Clinical Backing
Fluoride has nearly a century of research behind it, with thousands of clinical trials and public health studies showing its ability to reduce cavities and harden enamel. Its reputation is built on consistent, measurable results that dentists can track in patients across the globe.
On the other hand, niacinamide is what we’d call a “newcomer” in the oral care market. Sure, its benefits for skin health are well documented - but the peer-reviewed evidence specifically linking niacinamide toothpaste to cavity prevention or long-term gum health is limited.
That doesn’t mean there’s not a lot of potential for this ingredient in toothpaste - just that the science hasn’t caught up yet. At present, fluoride clearly leads on the evidence front.
Primary Oral Health Benefits
Like we said from the start, picking between niacinamide vs fluoride toothpaste mostly comes down to your main priorities in oral hygiene. Is it your teeth or your gums? Each offers more potential for one of these things.
For instance, fluoride chemically reinforces enamel and helps prevent new cavities. Some formulations (like stannous fluoride) offer extra support against sensitivity and plaque buildup.
Niacinamide is thought to support gum tissue health, reduce irritation, and improve the mouth’s resilience to oxidative stress. In other words, it’s more about creating a comfortable, balanced environment in the mouth than actively preventing cavities or remineralizing teeth.
The Safety Side of Things
There’s a lot of concern on the safety of fluoride in toothpaste, which is why alternatives like niacinamide have become so popular in the first place.
But for what it’s worth, we have very little evidence showing any real dangers for fluoride. Small amounts in toothpaste are considered safe. Swallowing too much, though, could be a concern - especially for children.
In contrast, niacinamide is generally considered safe and well-tolerated, even if accidentally swallowed, since it’s a form of vitamin B3 already found in food. That said, its safety in long-term daily oral care hasn’t been studied as extensively as fluoride.
So, is Niacinamide Toothpaste Better Than Fluoride Toothpaste?
Where does that leave you in choosing between niacinamide toothpaste vs fluoride toothpaste - is niacinamide toothpaste better than fluoride toothpaste, or is it the other way around? Again, it comes down to your top priority - cavity prevention or gum health.
- Go with fluoride for proven cavity prevention.
- Go with niacinamide if you want gum health support.
But, what if we told you there were better fluoride alternatives worth considering that don’t force you to choose between your teeth and your gums?
What About Other Fluoride Alternatives?
Several alternatives to fluoride have gained popularity over the past decade or so, each with its own strengths - and in some cases, clear limitations.
Hydroxyapatite is by far the most popular today, present in brands like Boka vs David’s toothpaste. It’s actually the same mineral that makes up most of human enamel. Toothpastes with this ingredient try to replenish lost minerals and reduce sensitivity by filling in microscopic defects in the enamel surface. Other common alternatives to fluoride include:
- Zinc: Can help reduce tartar buildup and freshen breath.
- Xylitol: Has been studied for its ability to interfere with cavity-causing bacteria.
- Herbal blends: These include oils such as tea tree, peppermint, or clove to create a fresher feel and mild antibacterial action.
But the best toothpaste to remove plaque and tartar and improve gum health simultaneously is right here at LIVFRESH. We’ve developed an ingredient that’s protected by 40 patents: Activated Edathamil.
Instead of focusing on surface-level whitening or just coating the teeth with minerals, LIVFRESH works by disrupting the sticky bond between plaque and enamel.
Clinical studies have shown that this mechanism doesn’t just make plaque easier to remove - it also reduces buildup over time, smooths enamel for a cleaner feel, and may even support natural remineralization by keeping teeth more accessible to calcium and phosphate in saliva.
Unlike niacinamide, hydroxyapatite, or many other alternatives, Activated Edathamil is the only truly novel alternative in the toothpaste aisle. There are 26 clinical studies showing how well it works, and thousands of dentists recommend it for plaque removal at home.
That makes LIVFRESH not just another option, but THE option for anyone serious about upgrading their oral care routine. Order your first tube risk-free today!
Bringing Our Niacinamide vs Fluoride Toothpaste Comparison to a Close
Niacinamide vs fluoride toothpaste formulas attack very different oral health concerns. The former focuses more on gum health and overall oral hygiene, while fluoride is a well-established way to prevent cavities and help remineralize teeth.
In either case, you’re compromising. You shouldn’t have to when it comes to your oral health. That’s why LIVFRESH stands alone as the #1 toothpaste for those who want more than just clean teeth.
Our clinically studied, patented formula has earned more than 4,000 5-star reviews, and once you see what it can do for you, you’ll understand why. Make the switch today and choose the only toothpaste powered by activated edathamil!
