Fluoride is a compound consisting of fluorine and one or more other elements. It occurs naturally in the body as calcium fluoride and is found primarily in the bones and teeth.
Small amounts of fluoride help reduce tooth decay. Studies have shown that fluoridated water supplies can reduce dental caries in children by 50 to 60%. Fluoride is also involved in the maintenance of bone structure.
There is currently no recommended daily allowance (RDA) for fluoride. However, the National Academy of Sciences has deemed the following amounts to be safe and adequate in a normal diet:
The best source of fluoride is fluoridated water, which is available in about half of all households in the United States. Foods prepared with fluoridated water will also contain fluoride. Natural fluoride is present in the ocean as sodium fluoride, so most seafood contains some form of fluoride. Tea and gelatin are also good sources.
The most recognizable symptom of fluoride deficiency is an increased incidence of tooth decay, especially in children. Unstable bones and teeth are other signs of a lack of fluoride.
Large quantities of fluoride intake can result in dental fluorosis, a condition in which tooth enamel becomes dull and unglazed with some spotting. At very high concentrations, dark stains may appear on the teeth. Although unsightly, these teeth rarely have any dental caries. Fluoride intake of 20 to 80 milligrams per day over a period of many years can cause skeletal fluorosis, which causes the bones to be chalky and brittle.
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