Penicillin. X-rays. Insulin. Many of our most important medical applications since the late 19th century were not planned destinations. They were detours.

Before Theodent introduced a new class of luxury toothpaste, it was also a detour. Our product follows a distinguished line of “accidental” discoveries that have catapulted science forward in profound ways.

Theodent’s role in upending traditional views on fluoride cannot be overstated. To see why, we have to understand how something as routine as brushing is so important in the first place.

We are told from an early age that brushing is important. It keeps our mouths clean, our teeth pretty, and our breath fresh.

What we hear less often is how imperative it is to the rest of our bodies.

Just as they take in the food we eat and air we breathe, our mouths are also gateways for harmful bacteria and infections, which may lead to complications in our bones, heart, kidneys, and other organs.

Dental hygiene is therefore a first line of defense since issues like cavities and gum disease weaken our ability to fight off invaders at the source. Simply put, our broader wellbeing hinges greatly on a healthy smile.

Teeth play an important role in many of our internal systems. This includes housing vital nerves and blood vessels in the mouth. To safeguard them, our teeth build multiple layers of protection starting with enamel. The hardest tissue in the body, enamel is mostly made of a mineral called hydroxylapatite, which looks like a cluster of tiny crystals when seen under a microscope.

The layer beneath your enamel is known as dentin. Although dentin is also a hard tissue, it is porous and contains small tubes leading to the nerves in your teeth.

Dentin is gradually exposed as your enamel erodes over time. When that happens, your teeth become hypersensitive and painful. Continued exposure eventually causes dentin decay and cavities. Fruit juice, soft drinks, wine, and other acidic and sugary products can accelerate this process, especially when combined with poor hygiene habits.

Over 100 years ago, scientists found that fluoride could help prevent tooth decay. Widespread commercial production of fluoride-based toothpastes then began in the 1950s. These products have been considered the standard ever since and make up the vast majority of global toothpaste sales.

However, when it comes to fluoride and long-term health, there’s a catch: fluoride is a poison.

Specifically, studies have shown fluoride to be a neurotoxicant. Even low levels of ingestion are toxic to the body. In fact, the FDA requires a warning on fluoride toothpaste urging a call to Poison Control if too much is swallowed.

Research has linked fluoride to conditions such as:

This is particularly concerning for developing children, who have been found to ingest as much as 75% of their toothpaste while brushing (6). Understanding you must spit out what tastes delicious is confusing for a child.

As important as it is to fight dental disease, protection of one aspect of our health cannot come at the cost of others. Why, then, has relatively little attention been given to this part of our everyday lives despite its crucial impact on our wellbeing?

Fortunately, growing awareness of fluoride’s adverse effects has combined with innovative science to usher in a new era of oral care.

For decades, dental experts claimed fluoride to be the only chemical able to prevent tooth decay. This changed in the early 1990s thanks to a chance finding that not only led to an alternative, but one that is completely safe.

Researchers discovered that a molecule called theobromine grows enamel crystal structure in our teeth. Moreover, theobromine—which is readily found in, of all places, cacao—is far superior to fluoride in strengthening this structure. It creates larger, stronger crystals that better protect enamel and dentin, improve remineralization, and eliminate hypersensitivity.

And, critically, there’s no danger to your system if it’s swallowed.

Years of research and development followed. The team isolated theobromine in cacao while leaving out the harmful fats and sugars found in processed chocolate. They then combined this active ingredient with calcium and phosphate into a proprietary formula.

The introduction of “Rennou,” as the formula was named, marked an unprecedented moment in the history of dental health.

Rennou became the foundation of a groundbreaking new toothpaste: Theodent.

Since 2012, Theodent has been the single-most effective alternative to fluoride-based toothpastes. It has outperformed leading brands such as Colgate and prescription toothpastes like Sensodyne Nupro 5000. Theodent also clearly surpasses other fluoride-free options that have simply removed fluoride rather than replacing it.

Data suggests that it takes 71 times more fluoride to produce the same remineralization effects as Rennou (7). After only one week of brushing twice a day, 100% of the tubes exposed in dentin are fully or partially protected. These are stronger results in less time than fluoride can provide, making Theodent significantly better at hardening teeth and reducing hypersensitivity.

Importantly, unlike fluoride, Theodent is nontoxic. It is not harmful if swallowed by people of any age, and therefore does not need the Poison Control warning required for all fluoride toothpastes. In short, Rennou-based Theodent exceeds the standards to meet the US FDA’s highest food safety designation.

Dental disease is one of humanity’s most common afflictions. It is also one of the most preventable. Through scientific discovery, we are learning that standard oral health treatments —such as fluoride—are no longer the best option. Instead, Theodent offers solutions that are safer, deliver better results, and meet the demands of a smarter marketplace.

Theodent is now being sold worldwide to discerning consumers, who seek out sophisticated products that support their overall wellness.