Transcription
Hey everyone, welcome back to the channel. In today's video, we're talking about fluoride. Stick around as we break down the truth behind fluoride. Let's get into it.
What is fluoride? Fluoride, a mineral, is naturally present in many foods and available as a dietary supplement. Fluoride is the ionic form of the element florine and it inhibits or reverses the initiation and progression of dental carries and stimulates new bone formation. Soil, water, plants and foods contain trace amounts of fluoride. Most of the fluoride that people consume comes from fluoridated water. Foods and beverages prepared with fluoridated water and toothpaste and other dental products containing fluoride. Approximately 80% or more of orally ingested fluoride is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. In adults, about 50% of absorbed fluoride is retained in the body with all but 1% stored in bones and teeth. The other 50% is excreted in urine. In young children, up to 80% of absorbed fluoride is retained because more is taken up by bones and teeth than in adults.
How much fluoride do I need? The daily fluoride requirements vary based on age and sex. Here's a breakdown. For infants up to 6 months, the recommended amount is 0.01 millig. Infants aged 7 to 12 months need 0.5 mg. Children aged 1 to 3 years should get 0.7 millig. Children aged 4 to 8 years need 1 millig. Kids aged 9 to 13 years should have 2 millig. Teens Aed 14 to 18 years require 3 millig. Adult men aed 19 and older should get 4 millig. Adult women aed 19 and older need 3 millig. Pregnant teens and women require 3 millig. Breastfeeding teens and women should also have 3 mg.
What are the sources of fluoride? Fluoride is not naturally present in high amounts in foods and water. It is commonly added to public tap water known as fluoridated water as well as some bottled waters. The majority of fluoride people consume daily comes from drinking fluoridated water and eating foods or beverages made with it such as tea and coffee. Additionally, most toothpaste and some mouthwashes contain fluoride. While these products should not be swallowed, they still contribute a small amount to your daily fluoride intake.
What kinds of fluoride dietary supplements are available? Some dietary supplements, including certain multivitamins and mineral products, contain fluoride. There are also liquid fluoride drops available for children. In these supplements, fluoride is typically found in the form of sodium fluoride.
What are some effects of fluoride on health? Scientists are studying fluoride to understand how it affects health. Here are a few examples of what they have learned. Tooth decay. Fluoride helps protect your teeth by strengthening the outer enamel surface. If you get too little fluoride, your teeth might weaken and develop cavities. Cavities can lead to pain, tooth loss, infections, and other health problems. Bone fracture. Fluoride helps bones grow and stay strong. Some studies show that taking fluoride dietary supplements or drinking fluoridated water might lower the risk of broken bones. Other studies show no effect on bone strength or fracture risk.
Can fluoride be harmful? Infants and children who get too much fluoride while their teeth are forming can develop a condition called dental fluorosis. This can cause white lines or dots, stains, or small dents on the teeth. Severe dental fluorosis is rare, however, and is not caused by standard amounts of fluoride in public tap water. Swallowing extremely large amounts of fluoride from dental products or dietary supplements can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, bone pain, and even death in rare cases. Getting too much fluoride over a long period of time can lead to a condition called skeletal fluorosis. This very rare condition causes joint pain and stiffness, weak bones, muscle loss, and nerve problems. It is not caused by standard amounts of fluoride in public tap water.
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