Abstract

This review summarizes the nature of acute fluoride toxicity, its time-course, and the fluoride doses that are involved. The generally accepted “certainly lethal dose” range for 70 kg adults, i.e., from 5 to 10 g of sodium fluoride or from 32 to 64 mgfluoride/kg, is discussed. Based on recent case reports of fluoride-induced fatalities, it is concluded that this dose range has little utility in cases involving young children. The concept of a “probably toxic dose” (PTD) is advanced. The PTD, 5.0 mg F/kg, is defined as the dose of ingested fluoride that should trigger immediate therapeutic intervention and hospitalization because of the likelihood of serious toxic consequences. The concentrations and quantities of fluoride in selected dental products are discussed in relation to the PTD. It is concluded that, as these products are currently packaged, most of them contain quantities of fluoride sufficient to exceed the PTD for young children. Recommendations are made to reduce the risk of toxicity associated with their use.

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  • Topical fluorides: effects on physiologic and biochemical processes

    The ingestion of fluoride from dentifrices or mouthrinses can contribute substantially to the total daily intake of the ion, even in communities that provide optimally fluoridated drinking water. It is concluded that the frequent and unsupervised use of these products by children six years of age or younger, especially those living in

  • Using High Fluoride Concentration Products in Public Policy: A Rapid Review of Current Guidelines for High Fluoride Concentration Products.

    Despite improvements in dental caries levels since the widespread introduction of fluoride toothpastes, it is still a disease which is considered to be a priority in many countries around the world. Individuals at higher risk of caries can be targeted with products with a high fluoride concentration to help reduce

  • The Role of Fluoride in the Prevention of Tooth Decay

    KEYWORDS • Dental caries
    • Dental decay
    • Oral health
    • Fluorides
    • Primary prevention •
    Secondary prevention
    • Children KEY POINTS • Fluoride is the key to prevention of tooth decay. •
    There are multiple fluoride modalities. •
    Effectiveness and safety of fluoride depend on dose and concentration. •
    Individual level

  • Fluoride and Oral Health.

    In 1993, the World Health Organization convened an Expert Committee to provide authoritative information on the role of fluorides in the promotion of oral health throughout the world (WHO TRS 846, 1994). This present publication is a revision of the original 1994 document, again using the expertise of researchers from

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  • Fluoride Dentrifice and Stomatitis

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  • Allergy to Fluoride

    Six children and one adult exhibited various allergic reactions after the use of toothpaste and vitaimin preparations containing fluoride. The following conditions were encountered: Urticaria, exfoliative dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, stomatitis, gastro-intestinal and respiratory allergy.

  • Fluoride & Perioral Dermatitis

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  • Fluoride Toothpaste: A Cause of Perioral Dermatitis

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  • Fluoride-Induced Damage to Gastric Mucosa in Human Clinical Trials

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