Hello! Great Q - Thank you for asking :)
Tooth Powder has many benefits that commercial toothpastes do, without the nasty side effects.
While there is no added fluoride in our tooth powders, the formulation of baking soda, kaolin, and salt create a product which has whitening properties, and antibacterial properties.
Cavities (which is the reason for adding fluoride) are caused by a combination of bacteria, sugar, and not cleaning these off of the teeth. The result is a weakening of enamel and then a hole that becomes the perfect incubation chamber for more bacteria and a great place for sugars to build up. It becomes increasingly difficult to clean those areas and a viscous cycle results until the cavity is diagnosed and filled.
Salt and baking soda are both effective antimicrobials. Most people have a preponderance of Streptococcus as their normal mouth flora and with the exception of Group D Strep (which is an entero (GI) bacteria for the most part, streps are susceptible to salt. A simple salt water rinse (with a drop of peppermint essential oil if desired) is an amazing mouth wash. Kaolin is beneficial to the mouth as it purifies, detoxifies, and alkalinizes (especially beneficial for those who drink sugary, acidic drinks such as carbonated sodas and energy drinks.)
What you don't have to worry about (since there is no added fluoride) is tooth discoloration/fluoride striping and yellowing, weakened enamel (one of the major side effects of added fluoride), skeletal weakening (fluoride inhibits osteoblastic activity/bone growth by reacting with calcium to form an insoluble salt which is removed through the kidneys), neurological problems, high blood pressure, acne, and seizures.