Fluoride

Fluoride is another one of those elements that the human body needs and we have heard probably a good deal about it, especially how fluorides and acids affect teeth, but we still do not know enough about it. Fluorides consist of organic and inorganic compounds.

As with most minerals dietary sources of fluoride or supplements are the two ways to add fluoride to the human body.

Some applications of fluoride include etching of glass, manufacturing of integrated circuits, prescription drugs and even fluoride rinses and toothpastes for oral health are included.

Fluoride and plant growth are tightly related and therefore fluoride is one ingredient in modern fertilizer.

Different compounds of fluoride such as sodium fluoride, calcium fluoride ans sodium monofluorophosphate are commonly added to toothpaste, drinking water, prescribed treatments and other commercially available hygiene products. One of the major reasons fluroide is added to these products is fluories property to strengthen tooth enamel. Some well known products in the oral hygiene world for example is act fluoride rinse. Tooth health and fluoride have long been closely knitted.

To help prevent tooth decay and strengthen teeth even further even in children, fluoride in bottled water is a new way to get more fluoride to teeth. In some countries where water is not coming from a large centralized water system, another alternative to water fluoridation is salt fluoridation. In these countries studies show that groups using flurodated salt experience less tooth decay than groups that are not using fluoridated salt.

In high amounts fluoride compounds are unhealthy for the body and toxic to the body. Fluoride toxicity in severe cases can cause death.

Fluoride in water is one natural source of the mineral. But there are also negative effects of too much fluoride as mentioned above and therefore to prevent to much fluoride fluoride removal through water filters is one way for reducing fluoride intake.. The fluoride filter is not the only filter usually used for water filtration, mainly filters are used for chlorine and heavy metal filtration.

Fluoride compounds are easily and readily absorbed by the intestinal tract when directly ingested. Fluoride removal from human body tissues happens within short period of time when ingested in to big doses through excretion over time from the body in the urine and the half life for certain fluoride compounds is just a few hours. Fluoride can be tested for in urine test.

Contact of fluoride with the skin or eye in high concentrations can be dangerous but can be treated with flushing water.