Fluorine is essential for the maintenance of teeth and bones. Small amounts can be found in the human body in compounds called fluorides. Traces of fluorine are beneficial to the body, while excessive amounts can be detrimental and harmful. Fluoride is a mineral occurring naturally in soil, water, plants, and animals in trace quantities. It is also an entirely natural component of bone. In water, fluoride is in the form of calcium fluoride (CaF2). It occurs naturally in tea leaves and vegetables such as endives and curly kale. Artificial fluoride is found in toothpastes, tooth gels and mouth rinses - in Europe, it is even added to salt. Half the fluoride ingested is retained in the body - in the bones and teeth - the other half is excreted.
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When teeth are being formed, fluoride safely strengthens the enamel, the hard outer 'shell' of the tooth. This, in turn, stops cavities from forming and teeth from decaying. The fluoride content of tooth tissues reflects the available fluoride at the time of tooth formation. This is why it's important to have sufficient fluoride when teeth are forming.
In Studies: The Journal of the American Medical Association (1990-1992) has reported a greater incidence of hip fractures in fluoridated areas in the U.S. and Britain. TheNew England Journal of Medicine (1990) reported that fluoride treatment of osteoporosis patients resulted in higher hip fracture rates. The governmental National Institute of Environmental and Health Sciences (1990) has shown that fluoride causes cancer. Former promoters of fluoridation have since found that fluoridation does not reduce tooth decay (1987-1988). Scientist at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (1989-1993) have come out against fluoridation because they have confirmed that it does not reduce tooth decay and that there is clear evidence that fluoride causes cancer. The American Chemical Society published a 17-page cover story (1988) questioning the safety and effectiveness of fluoridation.
History: Discovery of fluorine occured in a fossilized elephant tooth by Morichini in 1803 (New York State Dental Journal, 30 (Nov.1964) p. 373). On one of his tours, Count Morozzo of Italy found a fossil elephant molar near Rome and asked the italian chemist Domenico Morichini to perform a chemical analysis (*). The molar contained organic substance, carbonic acid, fluoric acid (found by the etching of glass test), phosphate and calcium, but Morichini had not yet performed a quantitative analysis.
Fluorine is one of 92 naturally occurring elements. It is a member of the halogen family, which includes chlorine, bromine and iodine. It is a pale yellow gas which is extremely reactive. As a result it is never found free in nature but only combined with other elements. These compounds are called fluorides. Fluorine readily forms compounds with all elements except two: helium and neon. It is the thirteenth most abundant element in the earth's crust and is an essential micro nutrient.
(*) Morozzo: "Analisi chimica del dente fossile fatta dal Dottor Morecchini", Mem. Mat. Fis. Soc. ital. Sci. (Modena) 10:1 (1803) 166-172
Antagonist: Absorption is reduced by calcium, aluminium and sodium chloride.
Synergist: Uses in the form of fluoride salts it is quickly and easily absorbed
Signs or Symptoms of a Deficiency: Extremely uncommon in humans, fluoride deficiency in animals can stunt the growth, cause hair loss and disorders in the development of the teeth, an increase in dental caries, especially in children from infancy and during tooth development.
Excess maybe seen in: Dental fluorosis usually presents as white flecking or linear opacities of enamel. At higher concentrations, systemic fluorosis can occur with:
bone pain, sclerosis of spine, ligamentous ossification, disordered new bone growth
Side Effects: As little as 2 to 8 ppm (parts per million) can cause mottled teeth, dulling, pitting, and discoloration of teeth. At 8 ppm bone fluorosis occurs with arthritis-like symptoms.
Caution: Too much fluorine causes discolored teeth, while continued overuse can, instead of strengthening bones, cause them to fracture more easily. More than 2 parts fluorine per million parts of water are to be considered dangerous. Especially in the form of sodium fluoride. Studies have shown that it can destroy certain enzymes in our bodies. Namely phosphatase, which is very important in many functions, but especially so in the metabolism of vitamins and minerals. Sodium fluoride has been shown to cause degenerative effects in the liver, adrenals, and reproductive glands.
Warning: The salts of fluorine ("fluorides") that may collect on the inside of pipes and equipment are extremely dangerous when inhaled or ingested, therefore "every precaution should be taken to avoid breathing or swallowing it.
The statements on this Web site have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). And are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The information presented is not intended to replace medical advice or treatment from your own doctor or healthcare provider. Nothing presented here is intended as a substitute for prescription medication or any other medical treatment prescribed by your doctor.