Fluoride: Recent concepts

Fluoride is an anion F-, the reduced form of Fluoride. The word fluoride is derived from Latin word ¿fluore¿ meaning to flow. A total intake between 0.05-0.07mg fluoride/kg body weight has been found to be optimum intake for humans. Absorption of fluoride is rapid & occurs almost completely in stomach. Kidney is the primary organ of excretion for fluorides. It affects the homeostasis of bone and tooth mineral metabolism. Fluorosis, a chronic metabolic disease, affects tooth and bone caused by ingesting large amounts of fluorides either through water or rarely from foods of endemic areas. Optimum fluoride level is associated with reduced dental caries but increased content can lead to dental fluorosis. Increased concentration of fluoride may lead to abnormal mineralization of teeth as well as bone which can lead to increased bone porosity and tooth discoloration. In that way it acts as a double edge sword. Rajasthan comes under the fluoride belt. Hence, we should know about its clinical appearance, prevention and treatment.