Fluoride |
|
Basic Information
Fluoride is available commercially as sodium fluoride.
Brand names:
Sodium-Fluoride Chewable Tablets
Denta-FL(R)
Flo-Tab(R)
Luride(R)
Luride-SF(R)
Nafeen(R)
Solu-Flur(R)
Sodium-Fluoride Oral Solution
Denta-FL(R)
Fluor-A-Day(R)
Fluoritab(R)
Flura(R)
Karidium(R)
Luride(R)
Nafeen(R)
Pediaflor(R)
Pedi-Dent(R)
Solu-Flur(R)
Sodium-Fluoride Tablets
Flo-Tab(R)
Fluorident(R)
Fluorodex(R)
Flura(R)
Karidium(R)
Nafeen(R)
Pedi-Dent(R)
Stay-Flo(R)
Studaflor(R)
Available from natural sources? Yes
Available from synthetic sources? Yes
Prescription required? Yes
NATURAL SOURCES
Apples
Calves' liver
Cod
Eggs
Kidneys
Salmon, canned
Sardines, canned
Tea
NOTE: The fluoride content of foods varies tremendously.
It is relatively high where soils are rich and water is
fluoridated and low otherwise.
REASONS TO USE
Prevents dental caries (cavities) in children when level of
fluoride in water is inadequate.
Treats osteoporosis with calcium and vitamin D, but use must
be carefully monitored by a physician.
UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS
Prevents osteoporosis in older people.
Prevents the most-common cause of hearing loss in the elderly
by recalcifying ear's inner-bone structure.
WHO NEEDS ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS?
Anyone with inadequate caloric or dietary intake or increased
nutritional requirements.
People living in an area with low fluoride water content.
Check with your doctor, dentist or local health department.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
Significant increase in dental caries
UNPROVED SPECULATED SYMPTOMS
Softening of bones in post-menopausal women
LAB TESTS TO DETECT DEFICIENCY
None available. Examinations of mouth for dental caries once
or twice a year yields all necessary evidence.
DOSAGE AND USAGE INFORMATION
| Age |
Estimated Safe Intake |
| 0-6 months |
0.1-0.5mg/day |
| 6-12 months |
0.20-1.0mg/day |
| 1-3 years |
0.5-1.5mg/day |
| 4-6 years |
1.0-2.5mg/day |
| 7-10 years |
1.5-2.5mg/day |
| 11+ years |
1.5-4.0mg/day |
What this mineral does:
Contributes to solid bone and tooth formation by helping body
retain calcium.
Interferes with growth and development of bacteria that cause
dental plaque.
Miscellaneous information:
Taking fluoride does not remove need for good dental habits,
including a good diet, brushing and flossing teeth and regular
dental visits.
If fluoride supplementation is needed in your area, continue
until child is 16. Subsequent topical applications every year or
two may be continued to prevent caries.
Claims that persons residing in areas with fluoridated water
supplies have a higher incidence of cancer have been refuted by
the National Cancer Institute.
Available as:
Tablets: Swallow whole with full glass of liquid. Don't chew
or crush. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless
otherwise directed by your doctor.
Drops: Dilute in at least 1/2 glass of water or other liquid.
Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless otherwise
directed by your doctor. Do not take with milk or dairy
products.
Rinses: Follow directions, and use just before bedtime, after
proper brushing and flossing.
Gels: Follow directions, and use just before bedtime, after
proper brushing and flossing.
Paste: Follow directions, and use just before bedtime, after
proper brushing and flossing.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Don't take if:
Sodium intake is restricted or fluoride intake from drinking
water exceeds 0.7 parts fluoride/million. Too much fluoride
stains teeth permanently.
You have underactive thyroid function.
Consult your doctor if you have:
Osteoporosis.
Over age 55:
No problems expected.
Pregnancy:
Reports do not agree regarding benefit and risk to unborn
child. Follow doctor's instructions.
Don't take megadoses.
Breast-feeding:
No problems expected.
Don't take megadoses.
Effect on lab tests:
Serum acid phosphatase, serum calcium and protein-bound iodine
may be falsely decreased.
Serum aspartase aminotranfererase (SGOT) may be falsely
increased. (See Glossary)
Storage:
Store in cool, dry place away from direct light, but don't
freeze. Keep in original plastic container. Fluoride decomposes
glass.
Store safely out of reach of children.
Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture
may change action of mineral.
Others:
High dosage needed to treat osteoporosis leads to likelihood
of toxic effects, including increased number of bone fractures.
OVERDOSE/TOXICITY
Signs and symptoms:
Stomach cramps or pain, faintness, vomiting (possibly bloody),
diarrhea, black stools, shallow breathing, tremors, increased
saliva, unusual excitement.
What to do:
For symptoms of overdosage: Discontinue mineral, and consult
doctor. Also see ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS section
below.
For accidental overdosage (such as child taking entire bottle)
Dial 911 (emergency), 0 for operator or your nearest Poison
Control Center.
ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS
| Reaction or effect |
What to do |
| EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF FLUORIDE CAN CAUSE: |
| Appetite loss |
Discontinue. Call doctor when |
|
convenient. |
| Constipation |
Discontinue. Call doctor when |
|
convenient. |
| Decreased calcium in body |
Continue. Call doctor when |
| characterized by bone pain, leg |
convenient. |
| cramps |
| Mottling of teeth with brown, |
Continue. Call doctor when |
| black or white discoloration |
convenient. |
| Nausea |
Discontinue. Call doctor when |
|
convenient. |
| Pain and aching in bones |
Discontinue. Call doctor immediately. |
| Skin rash |
Discontinue. Call doctor immediately. |
| Sores in mouth |
Discontinue. Call doctor immediately. |
| Stiffness |
Discontinue. Call doctor immediately. |
| Weight loss |
Discontinue. Call doctor when |
|
convenient. |
INTERACTION WITH MEDICINE, VITAMINS OR MINERALS
| Interacts with |
Combined effect |
| Aluminum hydroxide |
Decreases absorption of |
|
fluoride. |
| Calcium supplements |
Decreases absorption of |
|
fluoride. |
INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
Beverages
Milk decreases absorption of fluoride. Take dose 2 hours
before or after milk.
|
|
|
|
Dserun mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum and sunt in culpa qui officias deserunt mollit. Excepteur plus sint occaecat the best cupidatat nonr proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. September 24, 2004
