Daily dose
The WHO recommendation is 0.05 mg/kg/day.
Properties
- Preventing tooth decay: Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel, helping to prevent tooth decay by protecting teeth. Fluoride has no calories, so you can take care of your teeth without worrying. Overall, it is good for oral health.
- Tissue structure: Along with calcium and phosphorus, fluoride is a major component of bone tissue, teeth and cartilage.
Indications
- Fracture healing
- Arthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Scoliosis, kyphosis, back weakness, rickets
- Epiphysitis, Scheuermann's disease
- Childhood osteoligamentous insufficiency, hyperflexibility
- Otosclerosis
- Dental caries
Consequences of fluoride deficiency
There is no risk of fluoride deficiency as it is mainly stored in the skeleton and teeth.
Consequences of excess fluoride
If you consume too much fluoride, there is a risk to your body: fluorosis.
It can affect the teeth after ingesting 1mg of fluoride per kg per day.
It can also affect the skeleton and then the kidneys.
Fluorosis can manifest itself as stains on the tooth enamel and can even cause a drop in intelligence quotient.
Interactions with other nutrients
Calcium, magnesium, iron and aluminium appear to compete with fluoride and reduce its absorption.
Any fluoride supplements should therefore be removed from meals or other food supplements containing calcium, magnesium, iron or aluminium.
Chemical properties
The atomic symbol for fluorine is F and its atomic number is 9.
Its atomic weight is 18.998403163 and its specific gravity is 1.696 g.l-1.
Fluorine is the most reactive chemical element and has the highest electronegativity.
Small amounts of naturally occurring fluorine can be found in plants, water and some foods.
In the right amount, it is a component of the body's hard tissues and protects the teeth.
In excess, it tends to accumulate in tissues and can cause serious damage to teeth, kidneys or even bones.
Should I use non-fluoride toothpaste?
This is a controversial issue.
When the health benefits of fluoride were first discovered, fluoride was added to many products.
Today, fluoride is found in large amounts in drinking water, fish or certain salts.
As a result, more and more people are suffering from fluorosis, or excess fluoride.
More and more scientists are recommending the use of fluoride-free toothpastes to care for your teeth and prevent possible fluorosis.