Fluorine: what it is, benefits and side effects

Fluorine is a mineral found in bones and teeth; it is also found naturally in water, soil, rocks and air.

It is commonly used in dentistry to strengthen the enamel, the outer layer of the teeth and for the prevention of tooth decay.

Let's find out what it is for, its benefits and side effects.

What is fluoride used for?

In the context of human health, fluoride is mainly used to improve dental health; sometimes it can be found in the local water supply and in many over-the-counter products such as:

• Toothpaste
• Mouthwash
• Supplementary supplements

If you tend to have a lot of cavities, your dentist might suggest using a fluoride-based mouthwash; rinses with this mouthwash have a higher concentration of fluoride and help prevent tooth decay. Fluorine is also used for other things:

• Medical image scanning (PET scans)
• Pesticide cleaner
• Manufacture of Teflon, steel and aluminum products.

What are its benefits?

Fluoride is very useful for dental health because:

• Remineralizes weakened tooth enamel
• Slows down the loss of minerals from tooth enamel
• Reverses the first signs of tooth decay
• Prevents the growth of potentially harmful oral bacteria

When the bacteria in your mouth break down cup sugar and carbohydrates, produce acids that eat away at the minerals in tooth enamel; this loss of minerals is called demineralization. Weakened tooth enamel leaves teeth vulnerable to bacteria that cause tooth decay.

Effetti collaterali

Although fluoride is a natural compound, it can still cause side effects when consumed in large doses.

A small amount of this mineral is often added to the water (usually 0,7 parts per million, the maximum allowed since 2015).

Among the side effects we can find:

• Dental fluorosis: the fluorosis dental occurs when too much fluoride is consumed while the teeth are still forming under the gums; this results in white spots on the surface of the teeth.
  In addition to the appearance of white spots, dental fluorosis does not cause any symptoms or damage; it tends to only affect children under the age of 8, who still have permanent teeth. Children are also more likely to ingest toothpaste, which contains significantly more fluoride than water
• Skeletal fluorosis: skeletal fluorosis is similar to dental fluorosis, but involves the bones rather than the teeth; early symptoms include joint pain and stiffness. Over time, it can alter the bone structure and cause calcification of the ligaments; tends to result from long-term exposure to high levels of fluoride, often in drinking water. Several things can cause an excess of fluoride in the water, including accidental contamination from fire or explosion.

Is water enriched with fluorine dangerous?

There is no evidence to date that the addition of fluoride to local water supplies can cause health problems, except for a few sporadic cases of dental fluorosis.

However, some believe that fluoride-enriched water causes a number of health problems, including:

• Lower IQ in children
• Arthritis
• Kidney disease

If you are worried about too much fluoride intake, you can implement simple solutions:

• Beanie water bottled
• Use fluoride-free toothpastes.

And you, did you know the properties of fluorine? Let us know in the comments and remember to follow us on our telegram channel