Physiology and toxicity of fluoride

Abstract

Fluoride has been described as an essential element needed for normal development and growth of animals and extremely useful for human beings. Fluoride is abundant in the environment and the main source of fluoride to humans is drinking water. It has been proved to be beneficial in recommended doses, and at the same time its toxicity at higher levels has also been well established. Fluoride gets accumulated in hard tissues of the body and has been know to play an important role in mineralization of bone and teeth. At high levels it has been known to cause dental and skeletal fluorosis. There are suggested effects of very high levels of fluoride on various body organs and genetic material. The purpose of this paper is to review the various aspects of fluoride and its importance in human life.

Prevalence of Dental Fluorosis and Its Association With Fluoride Content of Drinking Water in the Rural Area of Dharmapuri District, Tamilnadu

“…This is similar to the study done by Dhard and Batnagar H. [17] This is in accordance with the fact that most permanent teeth including permanent incisors and first molar undergo formation within the first 5 years of life.…”

Molecular Mechanisms of Cytotoxicity and Apoptosis Induced by Inorganic Fluoride

“…According to WHO recommendations, the fluoride intake standard was set between 0.7 and 1.2 mg/L (1 ppm in average). Taking into account the volume of consumed water, this gives an optimal daily uptake of fluoride by average adult (expressed on a body weight basis) of 1.4-3.4 mg/day [8]. However, in the developed countries, a wide range of fluoride-containing topical agents and supplements (toothpastes, dental varnishes, gels, rinses, tablets, and drops) designed to reduce dental decay became widely available and greatly contribute to daily intake of fluoride by humans.…”

“…As a result, the consumption of fluoride by humans became uncontrolled and unpredictable often exceeding its therapeutic window. An excessive fluoride consumption has been linked to development of fluorosis, a slow degenerative disease, affecting teeth and bone tissues, as well as inducing neurological defects, infertility, and mental retardation [8][9][10][11][12]. Endemic fluorosis is a serious national problem occurring in many counties all over the world and affecting many millions of people using groundwater with high fluoride content for their daily needs [3,13].…”

Effect of sodium fluoride on the grey matter of spinal cord in the albino rat and the protective role of green tea extract

“…However, the main source of intake of this element is ordinary drinking water which contributes to more than 60% of the total fluoride intake. [1] Fluoride, in trace concentrations, is required to prevent dental caries, while the long term consumption of excess fluoride leads to a spectrum of toxic manifestations which are referred to as fluorosis. Fluoride has been shown to be toxic, not only to the skeletal tissues, but also to the non-skeletal tissues such as the brain, liver, pancreas, endocrines and kidney.…”