FLUORINE

For Healthy Teeth

Although the recommended daily allowance of fluorine is normally met through drinking water, the importance of this element in nutrition was released when high incidence of chronic endemic fluorosis in men and farm animals was detected in 1931 in certain parts of India.

There is a strong affinity between calcium and fluorine. These two elements work together, particularly in the outer parts of bones. They are found in the enamel of the teeth and the shiny and highly polished bone surfaces. Fluorine is pungent and corrosive. It belongs to the same group of elements as chlorine, bromine and iodine. In the body, it is found in combination with other constituents of the body.

Sources

Fluorine is found in Bengal gram, cereals – especially rice, some leafy vegetables, and most of all in dry tea leaves. Fluorine is found in small amounts in normal bones and teeth. Since water containing 1 to 2 parts per million (ppm) prevents dental caries and does not do any harm, the fluorine requirements of the body are met by the quantity normally present in drinking water in most regions.

Deficiency Symptoms

Studies on dental caries in human beings have shown that the incidence in children is high in areas where the drinking water contains less than 0.5 ppm fluorine, and low in areas where the water contains 2 to 2 ppm fluorine

Healing and Therapeutic Properties

Deficiency of fluorine can be prevented by sufficient intake of fresh vegetables, fish, fruits, tea, and dried meat.

Precautions :

Signs and symptoms of dental fluorosis have been observed in several countries where the drinking water contains excessive amounts of fluorine, that is, from 3 to 5 ppm. In these cases, the enamel of the teeth loses its lustre and chalky white patches are found irregularly over the surface of the teeth. In severe cases, there is marked loss of enamel with the tooth surface acquiring a corroded appearance.

Prolonged drinking of water containing excessive amounts of fluorine over 10 ppm can lead to fluorine intoxication. Neurological disturbances secondary to the changes in the vertebral column are common.