The toothpaste ingredient some Kenyans are avoiding

The introduction of fluoride in toothpaste and mouthwash has been credited with a sharp decline in tooth cavities.

In Kenya, as in much of the world, fluoride remains a central ingredient in most toothpaste brands. But in recent months, amid the rise of digital health influencers and alternative wellness movements, fluoride — once universally hailed as a public health triumph — has become a topic of renewed scrutiny.