Does fluorine harm a man’s health?

Question: You talked about toothpastes with menthol. I wanted to ask about fluorine. I have heard from the homeopathy that toothpastes with fluorine are detrimental to men’s health, especially when they are teenagers and young people. Does that fit the truth?

Says dentist Rūta Rastiņa:

Good afternoon.
My answer in very short form might look like this: no, no and no, and for all three sections of the question.

What is fluorine?

It is a naturally occurring mineral element whose use of compounds individually and at societal level over the last 50 years has resulted in an amazing reduction in the prevalence and intensity (how many people out of 100 have caries) and intensity (how many damaged teeth per individual) of caries in developed countries (America, Canada, Scandinavian countries, etc.). Fluorides are fluoride compounds used for local and general cardiac prophylaxis.

How does fluorine work?

Fluorine operates in three ways:

• First, the fluorine, when incorporated into the crystalline mineral structure of the teeth, strengthens the enamel against the effects of acids.
• Second, it is capable of stopping the development of caries in the early stages of it by remineralising dental tissue.
• Thirdly, it acts directly on the bacteria causing caries and inhibits their metabolism.

Fluorine ion is a very active ion, which is happy to come in combination with calcium and other ions in saliva, dental plum and dental tissue.

Calcium fluoride stored in saliva and plum becomes something of an “ambulance” for teeth in the mouth. Once a sour environment occurs in the oral cavity, this compound solves and the released fluorine ion rushes to replace the dissolved mineral element in the enamel of the tooth, replacing a less valuable ion many times.

A new, stronger and more acid-resistant structure of enamel minerals emerges.

Fluorine – in almost all oral prophylaxis

Due to the prophylaxis of caries, fluorine has been added to almost all oral prophylaxis. The amount of fluorine used in oral prophylaxis is harmless to the general health of the human being if used correctly.

For example, you should know that:

• the amount of paste on the toothbrush must be the size of a small pea;
• it must not be swallowed, spit out, but there is no rush to flush out … to stay in the oral cavity for longer (children’s pastes have also been given a “dose” to swallow but should not be allowed!);
• children should not be given adult toothpastes with higher concentrations of fluorine.

Fluorine on tooth enamel works locally – directly!

The prophylactic efficacy of fluorine against caries on dental tissue has been shown to be predominantly related to the local effects of fluorine on dental tissue, thus acting ONLY in the oral cavity. To which fluorine should be used (in the form of prophylaxis) throughout life, especially in lands where there are no other sources of fluorine (as in Latvia).

It is most important to ensure sufficient presence of fluorine in the oral cavity during teething and shifting bites, as well as in adolescents, when there are many disruptive factors for sufficient mineralisation of tooth enamel.

Discussions and different positions on the general use of fluorine

1. PILLS and DROPS for individual groups of people only

When fluorous is taken orally (generally) – in tablets, droplets or ingested with drinking water, it also works on the whole body, not just on dental tissue.

Most European dental associations no longer recommend the daily use of fluor tablets and droplets to prevent caries.

The use of fluor tablets and droplets is justified and recommended only in individuals:

• of high carousel intensity, and
• then if systematic brushing of teeth cannot be ensured.

The current position in the prevention of caries is to determine the risk and intensity of the person’s caries and to act specifically and purposefully in accordance with this.

1. FLUORINATED DRINKING WATER – yes/no?

For 50 years, there has also been a discussion about the harmful effects of artificially fluorinated drinking water use on the body. I will say straight away that drinking water in Latvia is not fluorinated, so this danger falls back on us. For us, the natural fluorine content in drinking water is very low, only in certain areas of Talsi, Ogre, Saldus, Dobele, Rezekne, Preili district the fluorine concentration is close to optimum.

While there is a known amount of fluorine that significantly reduces caries, fluoridation of water does expose humans to a known risk of fluorine overdose. Overdose of fluorine causes fluorosis in the teeth and, in severe cases, changes in the bones and other organs.

FLUORINE AS AN ADDITIVE FOR salt, milk, etc. foodstuffs

These products are still used in the world and people are satisfied with the ability to choose and decide whether or not to use them. Arguments by opponents of fluorine about forced use of fluorine when it is added to drinking water disagree.

Light forms of fluorosis in children and adolescents in Latvia

Mild forms of fluorosis are increasingly visible on our children’s teeth (white spots like light “snowflakes” on different tooth surfaces, bright white “caps” on the side tooth mounds).

This indicates an overdose of fluorine, in particular:

• if children are taking fluor tablets unchecked,
• if children use adult toothpastes with higher concentrations of fluorine,
• swallow, eat toothpaste and especially in areas that already have enough fluorine in their drinking water.

Such spotted enamel is only a minor cosmetic problem, but is not associated with increased tooth decay or health changes. Such teeth can be whitened, if desired, making the line between the bright white spot and the unchanged enamel almost invisible.

Man’s Health and fluorine

Indeed, I have so far encountered nothing in the literature about the effects of fluorine on a man’s health. There is plenty of information about fluorine overdoses that affect women, men and children equally badly.