Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that people add to water, food, and other products. Many toothpastes contain fluoride as it has benefits for protecting tooth health. Too much fluoride can pose risks to health.
Too much fluoride can lead to dental fluorosis. Fluorosis is a condition that produces a change in the colour of tooth enamel, said Medical News Today.
The health site added: “This discoloration usually manifests as white or sometimes brown spots.
“Chronic exposure to high levels of fluoride can lead to skeletal fluorosis.
“This occurs when fluoride builds up in bones, causing stiffness and pain.
“In the most severe cases, ligaments can calcify, causing pain and trouble moving.”
READ MORE: Christopher Dean takes medication to control progressive condition
Water fluoridation is linked to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) according to a study published in Environment International.
The study adds to the growing pile of scientific literature linking fluoride to neurological disorders such as lower IQ, autism, poor memory, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Governments failed to determine fluoride’s toxic brain effects before declaring fluoridation safe in the early 1900s, reports the New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc. (NYSCOF).
While fluoride in toothpaste is generally considered safe, there is a larger, ongoing discussion of overall fluoride intake, from water, food, mouthwashes, and other sources.
The International Association of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT), which advocates against the use of added fluoride in water and products, lists the following health problems which it associates with fluoride consumption:
- Acne
- Cardiovascular problems, including high blood pressure, cardiac insufficiency, and myocardial damage
- Diabetes
- Low fertility rates and early puberty in girls
- Osteoarthritis, temporomandibular joint disorder, and bone cancer
- Immune system complications
- Thyroid dysfunction.