MUMBAI: In a bold move to redefine oral health conversations, Dabur Red Paste has launched the ‘Switch to fluoride free’ campaign, questioning the long-standing presence of fluoride in toothpaste. The month-long initiative aims to spark a nationwide dialogue on the potential risks of fluoride, especially in regions where its overconsumption is already a concern.
Taking the conversation beyond the toothbrush, the campaign will travel across multiple cities, educating consumers about oral care ingredients that are often overlooked. It aims to debunk myths surrounding fluoride’s role in oral hygiene and highlight the need for more natural alternatives.
Dabur India has partnered with Mixed Route Juice, a Delhi- and Bangalore-based marketing agency, to execute the campaign through on-ground activations, influencer collaborations, and digital storytelling.
Dabur India Ltd executive vice president for marketing Abhishek Jugran said, “With this campaign we aim to drive awareness towards a crucial but often times concealed issue. Our goal is to ensure that consumers make informed choices for themselves that will automatically lead to a healthy population. We are also aiming to shake up traditional marketing beliefs with this campaign. Everything that works for the international market isn’t in the best interest of Indian Markets. Our products are centered around effortlessly plugging in the need gaps in Indian markets with Natural Ingredients that have been tried and tested over years. Our call out to our consumers is simple. Read up, research and make independent informed choices.”
Speaking about the campaign, Mixed Route Juice founder & creative director Amrita Sharma said, “At MRJ, we are all for meaningful, purpose driven communications. We are grateful that this opportunity came our way and we could add Dabur and the product Red toothpaste in particular to our portfolio. We’ve used a mixed media touch-points approach where digital becomes a central pillar, on-ground activations driven in priority markets to spread awareness and influencers as media vehicles for driving conversations.”
For decades, fluoride has been positioned as a cavity-fighting hero in toothpaste. However, emerging research suggests that excessive fluoride exposure can lead to skeletal fluorosis, thyroid dysfunction, brittle bones, and cognitive issues in children. Studies indicate that fluoride levels exceeding 1.5 mg/L in drinking water could be linked to lower IQ levels in children.
Despite its widespread use, fluoride can accumulate in the body over time, raising concerns about long-term health effects on bones, the liver, kidneys, and mental well-being. Given these risks, fluoride-free oral care is gaining global traction, with many experts advocating for a shift to safer, natural alternatives.
With ‘Switch to fluoride free’, Dabur Red is challenging conventional wisdom and urging consumers to take a closer look at their toothpaste choices. As the movement gains momentum, one thing is clear, oral health conversations are getting a much-needed refresh.
