Fluoride Cautions
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General warnings and precautions
Certain people should not take fluoride supplements at all:
- People who live in an area that water is highly fluoridated
The local council or local government need to be contacted in order to determine if a water supply has high levels of fluoridation. If this is the case, then extra fluoride supplements may produce toxic effects, such as fluorosis, a condition which affects the teeth mainly by causing a mottling of the colour.
Certain people should not take fluoride supplements without first consulting their doctor for advice:
- People who have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
People with an underactive thyroid may experience an increase in the symptoms of their condition if they take high levels of fluoride supplements - People who have osteoporosis
People with osteoporosis may experience an increase in the symptoms of their condition if they take high levels of fluoride supplements - Women who are pregnant
There is conflicting research about the benefits of fluoride supplementation on the unborn foetus, so further advice is needed before taking fluoride supplements.
Acute toxicity from taking too much in fluoride supplements - over 50mg can cause fluorosis and skin rash
Toxic Levels of Fluoride
Fluoride is toxic at doses greater than 20mg per day.
Overdosage and Toxicity Symptoms
Acute toxicity from taking too much in fluoride supplements - over 50mg can cause the following symptoms:
- Severe fluorosis*
- Skin rash, especially if it has a rapid onset
Chronic toxicity of fluoride from taking higher than the therapeutic dose of supplements for a long time can cause the following symptoms:
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Fluorosis*
- Loss of appetite
- Mottling and discolouration of teeth
- Mild skin rash
- Nausea
- Pain or tingling in arms, face and legs
- Vomiting
People who experience any of the above toxicity symptoms should discontinue their fluoride supplements and see their doctor for advice. Overdosage and toxicity is more likely to occur from taking too many supplements, whereas dietary intake of fluoride is highly unlikely to cause overdosage.
Fluorosis
Fluorosis is a condition which occurs when there has been a high intake of fluoride (either over a long time or in a short duration) and affects the teeth by giving them a mottled an discoloured appearance. Fluorosis only occurs during tooth development (in young children and teenagers) and cannot be reversed.