Fluoride in toothpaste: benefits and harms to the body

Фтор польза и вред I Можно ли пользоваться зубной пастой с фтором

Fluoride is a component of many toothpastes and is widely used to prevent caries. Scientific studies show that if you brush your teeth regularly with such a paste, then the probability of getting caries is reduced by half. It would be great news, if not the flared controversy around the topic "Fluorine: benefit and harm?", which divided people into two camps.

Some people are sure that fluoride in toothpaste — it is a poison that can cause serious illness. Others consider such rumors nothing more than a myth. Let's try to understand this issue.

Fluorine: useful component or dangerous poison for teeth
Benefits of Fluoride
Toothpaste fluoride ppm (ppm)
Fluorine damage

Fluorine: useful component or dangerous poison for teeth

Fluoride is known as a trace element that we need for healthy teeth and bones. It is we in bone tissue and dental enamel, and enters the body together with drinking water and some products.

Products containing fluorine:

tea;
apples;
buckwheat, rice;
corn;
spinach;
mackerel;
veal.

The lack of fluorine in the body leads to the development of caries, anemia and osteoporosis. Although a person needs it in very small amounts, this does not make it less significant for health. Fluoride makes teeth stronger, participates in metabolism and is necessary for the absorption of iron.

However, foods do not work as effectively in preventing cavities as fluoride toothpaste. That is why toothpastes with this mineral have become so popular among manufacturers.

Benefits of Fluoride

How does fluoride protect our teeth? To begin with, it is worth mentioning that fluorine in its pure form can cause serious disorders in the human body. toothpaste uses its safe — fluorides. The their health benefits of dental health were known to the world in the early 20th century, and the first fluoride-containing toothpaste appeared in 1914 .

Fluorine ions (fluorides) restore tooth enamel, make teeth stronger and less prone to decay and acid attack. They remineralize damaged areas of the tooth at the stage of early caries, thereby preventing its further development.

Toothpaste fluoride ppm (parts per million)

All manufacturers must state the amount of fluoride in paste. For daily use, pastes with a fluorine content of 1450-1650 ppm are considered safe.

For children's teeth, fluorine is just as important. The most important rule when using toothpaste — this is the ability of a child to spit it out, and not to swallow it. If he has already learned this, then you can safely choose a fluoride-containing paste. For children's toothpastes, there are such norms:

up to 4 years — 200 ppm;
from 4 to 8 years — 500 ppm;
c 8 to 14 years — 1400 ppm.

Fluorine harm

If there is a lot of fluorine in the body, then this can lead to intoxication, metabolic disorders, damage to the central nervous system, nausea, vomiting and fluorosis.

You can find a list of other diseases such as autism and cretinism on the Web. However, there is no scientific data confirming the effect of fluorine on the occurrence of these diseases.

Most often, people are afraid of the development of fluorosis due to an excess amount of fluorine in the body. It can be congenital (it is formed during the pregnancy of the mother, who must consume 2-2.5 mg/l fluorine per day) or acquired (at a fluorine production plant).

Food or toothpaste does not contain this amount of fluoride.

For fluorine to cause serious harm to the human body, it is necessary to work in an aluminum plant without observing safety precautions. The longer way — is the regular ingestion of several tubes of fluoride toothpaste per day.

Amount of fluoride intake per day with food — this is 4 mg, the toxic dose is considered — 20 mg, and lethal — 2 g.

However less it is worth following the rules for using fluoride paste:

don swallow it
squeeze a pea-sized portion onto brush;
Brushing your teeth with such a paste should not more than 2-3 minutes.

Briefly about the benefits and hazards of fluorine for humans

"Fluorine: benefit and harm?" — a topic for discussion, which has acquired a lot of myth and prejudice. In the scientific world, the benefits of fluorine are undeniable and proven. The toothpaste contains a safe amount of fluoride, which is indicated directly on the package.

Fluorides protect teeth from bad bacteria and stop destroying tooth enamel. They are effective both for the prevention of caries and for the treatment of its early stages.

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