Olaflur: an amine fluoride from Zurich
Not all fluorides are alike. Ordinary sodium fluoride is a mineral salt that simply dissolves in saliva. The amine fluoride Olaflur is built differently: it has a "tail" that grips onto enamel. This is the molecule the German school of caries prevention is built on.
Where it came from
Amine fluorides were developed in the 1950s by the Swiss company GABA together with the dental institute of the University of Zurich. The task was this: make fluoride stay on the tooth instead of being washed away by saliva a minute after brushing. The solution turned out to be elegant — a long organic chain, similar to a soap molecule, was "stitched" onto the fluoride ion.
The first amine fluoride toothpaste was launched in Switzerland in the early 1960s. Today, after a number of brands abandoned this molecule in favour of simpler formulas, genuine Olaflur is a rare find on the mass-market shelf.
How it works
The Olaflur molecule consists of two parts. The hydrophobic "tail" repels water and strives to press against the tooth surface. The fluoride "head" meanwhile stays on the outside, facing the enamel.
| Property | Sodium fluoride (NaF) | Amine fluoride (Olaflur) |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Mineral salt | Organic compound |
| Behaviour on enamel | Dissolves in saliva, washes away | Anchors to the surface as a film |
| Speed of action | Slower — needs contact time | Starts working within the first seconds of brushing |
| Fluoride depot | Short-lived | Forms a reserve that releases fluoride for hours |
| Action on bacteria | Weak | Antibacterial action of its own |
Three effects of one molecule
- A film on the enamel. Olaflur spreads evenly across the tooth surface — including hard-to-reach areas where the bristles work less well.
- A fluoride depot. A fluoride reserve forms on the enamel and is gradually released after brushing. The protection carries on long after the tube is back in the cabinet.
- Against plaque bacteria. As a surface-active agent, Olaflur disrupts the metabolism of cariogenic bacteria — above all Streptococcus mutans, the main culprit of caries.
Why a paste often contains two fluorides at once. Olaflur gives a fast start and anchors to the surface, while sodium fluoride works as a "slower" reserve within the bulk of the paste. In a number of LACALUT pastes they are combined — up to 1488 ppm in total, within the evidence-based optimum.
Where Olaflur is in the LACALUT range
Amine fluoride is not a one-product gimmick but a technology that runs through the whole brand. You will find it:
- in the daily cavity protection pastes — Anticaries and Flora, paired with sodium fluoride;
- across the entire sensitive teeth line — Sensitive, where it is combined with low abrasivity (RDA 25–43).
This is a rare combination: as a rule, pastes for sensitive teeth bet on desensitising salts and leave enamel protection "for later". Here both tasks are solved at the same time.
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Sources and notes
- Development of amine fluorides: GABA together with the dental institute of the University of Zurich, 1950s (scientific supervision — Prof. H. R. Mühlemann)
- Reviews of the amine fluoride mechanism of action: fluoride depot formation and the antibacterial effect
- LACALUT paste compositions (INCI) — according to official data from Dr. Theiss Naturwaren GmbH
Toothpaste is a cosmetic product (TR CU 009/2011). This information is for reference only and does not replace a consultation with a doctor.