Fluoride is poison?!
Isn't fluoride in toothpaste harmful?
Fluoride is necessary for teeth to be healthy, but it can cause dangerous diseases. Let's try to figure it out: are toothpastes with fluoride beneficial or harmful?
Fluorine – is a gas, in nature it occurs in the form of a compound with various substances – fluorides. The question of whether fluoride in toothpaste is dangerous is based on rumors that fluoride itself is dangerous for humans, even in small concentrations.
At the beginning of the 20th century, scientists managed to clinically prove that fluoride prevents the occurrence of caries and the reproduction of harmful bacteria in the oral cavity. Therefore, since the 1940s, municipal programs for additional fluoridation of tap water began to develop in many countries to prevent caries in the population. This measure was later partially canceled, primarily in those regions where the fluoride content in the water was already high. Almost simultaneously with the popularization of fluoride, information appeared that all this was done in the interests of aluminum plants, in particular, the largest aluminum company in America, in order to utilize large volumes of fluorides released during the production of metal.
This information was supplemented by scary articles that fluoride is a poison that can affect the glands, the immune system, cause hormonal disruptions and penetrate the brain, causing dementia, so it should be avoided wherever possible. It is worth recognizing that in high concentrations, fluoride is indeed dangerous, like any other trace element in large doses.
However, this does not mean that it is necessary to avoid any of its intake into the body, since in this case we would have to give up tea (both green and black), apples and other natural products rich in fluorine and useful for humans. It is known that for fluorine to damage the body, it is necessary to work for a long time in the production of fluorides with violation of safety regulations (more than 10-15 years). In household doses, it is quite difficult to get a significant dose of fluorine from water or food, but health problems due to a lack of fluorine can begin quite realistically.
It's all about concentration!
Fluoride ions (fluorides) are necessary for teeth: they inhibit the vital activity of harmful bacteria and prevent their waste products from corroding tooth enamel, that is, they simply prevent caries. Damaged areas of the tooth are remineralized due to the action of fluorides, which is why they say that early caries literally "heals before our eyes" from fluoride.
Advice. When choosing a toothpaste, pay attention to the percentage of fluoride. For regular use, toothpastes up to 1500ppm (10000ppm = 1%) are safe.
Fluorosis and toothpastes
The main danger of excess fluoride in the body is the development of fluorosis, and in this matter, occupational fluorosis and endonemic fluorosis should not be confused:
• Endemic fluorosis develops as a result of excessive consumption of fluorides with food and water. It almost always occurs in the womb or in early childhood before teething and is expressed in a cosmetic defect of the teeth. The manifestations of endemic fluorosis are visible to the naked eye - these are uneven white spots on the teeth, which can gradually darken and become similar to caries. It is not difficult for a competent dentist to determine fluorosis. Such a patient may be recommended to use toothpastes without fluoride (!), and will also be offered options on how to get rid of this cosmetic defect.
• Systemic (occupational) fluorosis can occur only in workers involved in the production of fluorides, in case of violations of working conditions (for example, lack of ventilation of the room). It manifests itself in damage to the bones and internal organs. The appearance of the teeth, as a rule, does not change. Other people do not need to worry about the development of occupational fluorosis, even if they have signs of fluorosis on their teeth.
Advice: Do not self-diagnose and do not prescribe fluoride-free or fluoride-containing toothpastes without consulting a doctor, this may be a mistake. Dentists know exactly what fluorosis looks like, while you may mistake completely different signs for the disease. For example, if you have early caries, you will only worsen the condition of the oral cavity by refusing to use toothpaste with fluoride. Constant use of toothpaste without fluoride can lead to weakening of tooth enamel and tooth decay. If fluorosis on the teeth is confirmed, you can consume more calcium to normalize the fluoride-calcium ratio in the body and use a household filter to purify drinking water from excess fluoride. This advice is suitable for residents of regions with an increased fluoride content in water - the fluoride content in drinking water is 5 * 10 -5 % (more than 1 mg per 1 liter of water). These are cases in Lviv, Odessa and Poltava regions, which are characterized by different geological-tectonic, hydrogeological features and the Volyn-Podilsky, Dnipro and Black Sea artesian basins.
What not to do: panic and fear that fluorosis on the teeth signals problems with the bones of the skeleton, as there is no reason for this, but for peace of mind, you can always take a blood test for trace elements, as prescribed by a doctor, to understand how much your body regularly receives.
And once again we advise: Do not self-diagnose! An experienced dental hygienist and a dental periodontist work at the Artix Dental Center. If you have any questions or doubts about the enamel of your teeth - welcome to a specialist consultation! The initial consultation at our center is free, you only need to decide on the time and date and you will be given answers to your questions and dispel your fears.
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