The key difference between stannous fluoride and sodium monofluorophosphate is that stannous fluoride contains tin as the major chemical element, whereas sodium monofluorophosphate contains sodium and phosphorous as the major chemical element.
Stannous fluoride and sodium monofluorophosphate are important as ingredients in toothpaste and related items because they can act against gingivitis, plaque, and tooth sensitivity and provide protection from cavities and tooth decay.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Stannous Fluoride
3. What is Sodium Monofluorophosphate
4. Stannous Fluoride vs Sodium Monofluorophosphate in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Stannous Fluoride vs Sodium Monofluorophosphate
What is Stannous Fluoride?
Stannous fluoride is the commercial name of tin(II) fluoride that has the chemical formula SnF2. The molar mass of this compound is 156.69 g/mol, and it appears as a colorless solid. The melting point of this compound is 213 °C, while its boiling point is 850 °C. Its crystal structure is monoclinic. We can produce this compound by evaporating a SnO solution in HF (40%).
Furthermore, this compound is an important ingredient in some toothpaste because it can act against gingivitis, plaque, tooth sensitivity and protect from cavities. Therefore, it is typically more expensive than other fluorides. Moreover, it can act as a reducing agent. Fluoride ions can get oxidized. In addition, these SnF2 molecules form dimers and trimers by combining with each other.
According to The American Dental Association (ADA), stannous fluoride is recognized as a safe-to-use ingredient due to the benefits of this compound as an effective ingredient in toothpaste. The properties of stannous fluoride make it superior to sodium fluoride as well. It can help fight cavities and prevent tooth decay by preventing demineralization and repairing damaged tooth enamel before a cavity development.
What is Sodium Monofluorophosphate?
Sodium monofluorophosphate is an inorganic compound having the chemical formula Na2PO3F. The molar mass of this compound is 143 g/mol. It is commonly abbreviated as MFP. It is also a salt compound that is colourless, odourless, and readily dissolves in water. However, it is insoluble in organic solvents such as ethanol and ether. It appears as a white powder when produced industrially. Application-wise, it is a common ingredient in toothpaste.
In industrial-scale production, MFT is produced via the reaction between sodium fluoride and sodium metaphosphate. As an alternative method, it can be produced by treating tetrasodium phosphate with hydrogen fluoride.
When considering tooth decay problems, MFT acts as a fluoride source that comes from toothpaste. It can release fluoride via the hydrolysis of the compound. This fluoride can protect teeth from bacteria that cause dental cavities.
What is the Difference Between Stannous Fluoride and Sodium Monofluorophosphate?
Stannous fluoride and sodium monofluorophosphate are important ingredients in toothpaste and related items. The key difference between stannous fluoride and sodium monofluorophosphate is that stannous fluoride contains tin as the major chemical element. Meanwhile, sodium monofluorophosphate contains sodium and phosphorous as the major chemical elements. Moreover, stannous fluoride can act against gingivitis, plaque, and tooth sensitivity and protect from cavities, while sodium monofluorophosphate can effectively help to prevent tooth decay.
Below is a summary of the difference between stannous fluoride and sodium monofluorophosphate in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Stannous Fluoride vs Sodium Monofluorophosphate
Stannous fluoride is the commercial name of tin(II) fluoride that has the chemical formula SnF2, while Sodium monofluorophosphate is an inorganic compound having the chemical formula Na2PO3. The key difference between stannous fluoride and sodium monofluorophosphate is that stannous fluoride contains tin as the major chemical element, whereas sodium monofluorophosphate contains sodium and phosphorous as the major chemical elements. Moreover, stannous fluoride can act against gingivitis, plaque, and tooth sensitivity and protect from cavities, while sodium monofluorophosphate can effectively help to prevent tooth decay.
Reference:
1. “About Sodium Monofluorophosphate.” Tom’s of Maine.
Image Courtesy:
1. “MildFluorosis02-24-09” By Dozenist – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia