Fluoride

Fluoride helps protect against dental caries in appropriate doses. The use of Fluoride to treat osteoporosis remains controversial and experimental.

Fluoride supplementation isn't recommended for children under six months. Excess Fluoride intake might result in dental fluorosis in children and skeletal fluorosis in children and adults. Nursing mothers and women who are pregnant should avoid Fluoride intake greater than adequate intake (AI) amounts. At the amounts recommended for fluoridation of drinking water and at the recommended doses used for caries prophylaxis, Fluoride is generally well tolerated and hasn't been found to have significant adverse reactions. Recommended adequate intake for adult males is 4 milligrams daily. Recommended adequate intake for adult females is 3 milligrams daily. Adverse reactions are occasionally reported at doses of 5 to 10 milligrams daily and are more frequently reported at doses of 10 to 20 milligrams daily and higher. Adverse reactions include mouth sores, nausea, rashes, vomiting, and upper gastrointestinal complaints. Gastrointestinal side effects (abdominal distress, nausea, vomiting) are less frequent in general with slow-acting Fluoride preparations than with immediate-release preparations. A single dose of sodium fluoride of 5 to 10 grams might be lethal. Less than one gram of sodium fluoride has caused serious poisoning. Chronic Fluoride poisoning might result in dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis. Concurrent intake of aluminum hydroxide antacids and Fluoride can cause lowered absorption of Fluoride. Concurrent intake of a calcium supplement and Fluoride can cause lowered absorption of Fluoride. Concurrent intake of foods rich in calcium can cause lowerd absorption of Fluoride. This website is intended to educate and inform, and should not replace discussions with your doctor.