12.4 Fluoride

Fluoride

Fluoride is a nonessential mineral that is not required by the body and it is not widely found in the food supply. The majority of what we consume comes from fluoridated water. Other good non-dietary sources are fluoridated toothpaste and dental rinses1. Absorption of fluoride is near 100% for both dietary and non-dietary forms and it is rapidly excreted in the urine2.

Since it is a nonessential mineral, there is no fluoride deficiency. However, fluoride can be quite toxic. Acute toxicity symptoms from large intakes of fluoride include1: Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, and Convulsions. Chronic toxicity results in an irreversible condition known as fluorosis.

There is debate as to whether water should be fluoridated. The following links are examples of just how conflicted the U.S. is. The first is a New York Times article on this topic. There is also an article about Portland’s decision to begin fluoridating its water in 2014. The third article is about a bill introduced by a Kansas lawmaker concerned about the effects of water fluoridation.

Required Web LinksFluoridation Debate, Redux Portland Approves Fluoridation by ‘14Dentists speak out as fluoride bill nears hearing

References & Links

• Byrd-Bredbenner C, Moe G, Beshgetoor D, Berning J. (2009) Wardlaw’s perspectives in nutrition. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
• Gropper SS, Smith JL, Groff JL. (2008) Advanced nutrition and human metabolism. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing.

Links

Fluoridation Debate, Redux – http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/18/opinion/sunday/fluoridation-debate-redux.html? Portland Approves Fluoridation by ‘14 – http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/13/us/portland- approves-adding-fluoride-to-water-by-14.html?

Dentists speak out as fluoride bill nears hearing – http://ksn.com/2014/02/10/dentists-speak- out-as-fluoride-bill-nears-hearing/