A more controversial substance for the body than fluorine is probably hard to find. Its excess can contribute to the development of a number of diseases, including affecting the teeth. And the lack leads to the destruction of enamel, the emergence of other pathologies.

On the one hand, it is argued that any in its composition should have fluorine (most dentists share this opinion), and on the other hand, examples of its negative effects on the body and the choice in favor are given.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW! Fluorine in Greek means "destructive". The gaseous state of this substance poses a mortal threat.

So is fluoride useful in toothpaste? How important is it for their enamel coating and what is the danger of an overabundance of it?

Benefit and harm

The fact that fluoride toothpaste is good for teeth is often heard from the commercials offered. Indeed, the advantages of such a composition for brushing teeth are obvious:

• antibacterial effect;

• improvement of metabolic processes;

• stimulation of the salivary glands;

• getting rid of dental plaque.


To perform such tasks, a very small amount of this is required. important element. And any excess of this amount will have a harmful effect. An overdose may not result in the consequences that a person expects, with enviable care when brushing their teeth with a fluoride-containing paste.

The usual human dose is 3 mg each day. You can replenish this amount of a trace element with drinking water if you drink a few liters of it. When you also brush your teeth, there will be a bust, which can bring not good, but harm - lead to intoxication of the body.

Therefore, people who drink a lot of water, eat food natural origin and those who prefer life without bad habits, choose fluoride-free dentifrice.

In addition, this substance has the property of accumulating in tissues and enamel. If its dosage is exceeded, a pathology such as fluorosis may develop, characterized by the appearance of spots and dots on the teeth. white color indicating the beginning of destructive actions.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW! Fluorine can enter the body from various sources. Therefore, it is not necessary to buy pasta with its capacity without the need. An excess amount of halogen in the body usually leads to a number of complications.

To strengthen teeth and gums, use other natural remedies- mint, propolis, leaves tea tree, chamomile.

The importance of trace elements for the body

From the foregoing, it is quite clear that brushing your teeth with special paste will not bring anything good with an excess of fluorine. Wanting to improve them in this way, you can achieve the opposite result - damage the bone tissue and destroy the enamel.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW! Fluorine has a strengthening effect on hard dental tissues, protects against caries and prevents gum disease, minimizes unpleasant odors from mouth.

The resulting condition is characterized by the following symptoms:


• fragility of bones;

• decrease in hemoglobin;

• compaction of ligaments;

• sharp weight loss;

• limitation of motor ability.

With extreme caution, the use of such a paste, and, therefore, the saturation of the body with fluorine, should be approached by those who have been diagnosed with diabetes.

So that fluoridation does not bring harm, it must be done only according to medical indications, such as, for example, the appearance of carious lesions or a general lack of this halogen in the body.

Replenishing it or applying cleaning for prevention, it is important to know the measure and not overdo it. Then the return will be effective, and the benefit.

The harm of fluorine

His negative effects on the body when overabundant displayed by the development of many reactions. So, in children, this condition can cause speech disorders, significantly reduce mental capacity to the study of mathematics, foreign languages, disrupt memory.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW! In adults high content fluoride can cause changes hormonal background. Its ions, accumulating in the tissues of the thyroid gland, reduce the level of testosterone, which, in turn, can cause many abnormalities, including infertility.

What can threaten the lack of a microelement?

However, fluorine essential substance for our body. It affects metabolic processes in it, promotes the removal of dangerous and heavy metals. Without it, immunity support will not take place, iron is poorly absorbed.

The lack of fluorine is displayed on the bones - they are bent, become brittle and brittle, and when fractured, they do not grow together well.

The teeth also largely depend on the lack of the element: the enamel becomes thinner and becomes unusable, giving the opportunity for the development of caries.

Brings nothing good excess fluorine. It is not he himself, but his oversized amount. True, it can be controlled so that there is no harm. After all, busting fluorine leads to serious complications.

How to remove fluoride from the body?

Calcium preparations, in particular lactate and gluconate, contribute well to the removal of fluorine. They are usually prescribed by a doctor. Along the way, a blood test is required. In this regard, in case of fluorine poisoning, only inpatient therapy is carried out.

Fluoride-containing dentifrices

Application of fluoride paste for brushing teeth is indicated mainly in regions with a low (less than 1.0 mg / l) content of this microelement in water. Only safe types of such a product (up to 1500 ppm) can be used regularly. The rest all need to be taken in courses, alternating with the usual hygienic options.

Among the most popular pastes containing fluorine, it should be noted:

LACALUT sensitive, Blend-a-med PRO-EXPERT, Aquafresh "Maximum" or "Flawless Whitening", Colgate Total, Colgate Duraphat, Parodontax, etc.

Pastes without fluoride

No less useful are pastes that do not contain fluoride.. Instead, the substances in them are calcium compounds that are no less useful for teeth: lactate, citrate, glycerophosphate, pantothenate.

These pastes, in general, are familiar to everyone, but their composition is unlikely to have been studied: President Unique, Parodontax without fluoride, Splat Biocalcium, Splat Maximum, R.O.C.S. caribbean summer, new pearl Calcium, ASEPTA Sensitive, O.C.S. Calcium.

The content of trace elements in children's toothpastes

Equally important are questions about the need, usefulness or harm of fluoride inclusions in children's dentifrices. Experts here also show their unanimity: fluoride is useful for children's teeth, because it provides them with protection from bacteria. But when buying such a product for cleaning teeth, it is important to ensure that the fluoride content is appropriate for the age of the child:


• up to 4 years - not higher than 200 ppm;

• 4-8 years - 500 ppm;

• over 8 years old - 1400 ppm.

Manufacturers of dentifrices generally adhere to these guidelines, and some make fluoride-free cleaning toothpastes for children. They are gaining popularity now, because frightened parents prefer not to take risks.

And it's not about how useful or harmful fluoride paste is. And the fact that children, especially in young age often swallowed. In this regard, we can agree that fluoride pastes are needed for children. But topical application they will not bring harm, and constant ingestion in the stomach can lead to unnecessary consequences. This is what you need to watch closely.

natural dental care products: components and substances

When a person thinks about his health and does not dare to buy ready-made pasta with the addition of various components, he can, if desired, make a dentifrice himself. This product will consist only of natural ingredients.

To make homemade toothpaste, you need to take:


• 1 st. l. pure white clay;

• on the tip of a knife sea ​​salt fine grinding;

• in order to provide a whitening effect, you need to add a small amount of baking soda;

• 1 st. l. aloe juice or glycerin (these components, if desired, add both, taking in the same amount);

Not only calcium can improve the structure bone tissue and strengthen your teeth. Few people know that fluorine also plays a significant role in this. By itself, fluorine is just a gas that can cause poisoning.

But its combination with sodium, on the contrary, is widely used in medicine and industry for the production of useful and indispensable products. But is sodium fluoride really that safe? Is fluoride in toothpaste harmful? How much of this substance can be ingested normally per day without harm to health?

What are the benefits of sodium fluoride

Sodium fluoride, what is it? A small amount of it is found in nature, but for human needs this substance is obtained by complex chemical reactions. Fluorine easily forms compounds with many chemical elements, but sodium fluoride (NaF) is better absorbed. Its presence in the body contributes to the formation of fluorapatites - the most stable compounds with calcium, which are the basis of bone tissue. Therefore, sodium fluoride is contained in toothpaste - it protects teeth from the development of caries.

A small amount of fluoride is normally present in water, but its concentration varies in different regions, so it is often necessary to take it additionally.

The role of sodium fluoride in human life:

• stimulates the formation of bone cells - osteoblasts, strengthens the skeleton;
• participates in the formation of tooth enamel;
• as part of toothpaste, it has a bactericidal effect on bacteria, improves blood circulation in the gums;
• in optimal concentrations, sodium fluoride for children is a prevention of the development of caries and periodontal disease (damage to tooth tissues);
• it is used as a detergent;
• sodium fluoride is used in chemical industry(in metallurgy for cleaning and remelting metals, welding) and for the production of freon.

Is there any harm from fluoride

NaF is an active participant in many chemical reactions in the human body and in the production of chemical compounds. But despite the considerable benefits, it is he who is the cause of the development of serious diseases.

Optimal fluoride content in drinking water- 0.7–1 mg/l. Its deficiency leads to the development of diseases.

Excess fluoride in toothpaste and products is not only beneficial, but also harmful.

Its excess contributes to the development of fluorosis - this is a lesion of tooth enamel with the appearance of spots on it from red to dark brown, due to which defects of dental tissue gradually appear.

A large number of fluorine compounds in the body leads to a lag in the development of the nervous system, which especially affects the growing body. The process of ossification and mineralization of bone tissue is also disrupted.

Why is fluoride harmful? Its deficiency, as well as its excess, leads to a violation of the development of bone tissue, a deterioration in the condition of the teeth.

How fluoride helps teeth

The fluoride content in toothpaste should not exceed 0.05%. This is the recommended concentration of a substance for children living in areas with a low content of this trace element in food and water. In this amount, sodium fluoride prevents the development of caries. The problem is that often people do not know about chemical composition tap water and whether there is a shortage of fluorine in their body. Therefore, the use of such toothpaste is not always justified and often leads to the opposite effect:

• the development of fluorosis due to an excess of trace elements in the body;
• the appearance of allergic reactions;
• disruption of the heart;
• increase in blood pressure.

The lack of this substance in the dental tissue can be filled by another method - fluoridation. This is a procedure for saturating the enamel with fluorine ions. Is dental fluoridation harmful? No, the procedure is safe and does not harm the person. Several sessions contribute to the accumulation of the substance in the enamel and for a long time protects against the pathological influence of bacteria. But in case of an excess of fluoride in the body, the procedure will worsen the condition of the teeth.

Possible ways of getting excess fluorine into the body

Normally, the amount of fluorine that should enter the human body with food is from 0.5 to 5 mg per day. Sharp increase up to 5–10 g is already toxic dose for an adult weighing at least 70 kg. In a lower concentration, the substance poisons all systems. Its amount in tissues may increase in case of:

V dental practice sodium fluoride tablets are often used. In what cases are they needed? The medicine is prescribed in the following situations:

• to prevent the development of caries in childhood;
• for the treatment of all types of osteoporosis (thinning of bone tissue).

The course of treatment is several months. Children are prescribed from one tablet per day or more.

Products containing fluorine

What contains fluorine, in what products?

correct balanced diet with the inclusion in the diet of products containing a sufficient amount of this trace element, this is the prevention of the development of caries and osteoporosis.

Symptoms of fluoride poisoning

Depending on the route of entry of this substance and its amount in the body, changes can occur. Disorders in the work of the cardiovascular and nervous systems develop, appear typical symptoms poisoning.

What can lead to an excess of fluoride in the body?

1. There are pains in the stomach area due to irritation of the mucous membrane. Often when long-term exposure ulcers appear.
2. Seizures develop.
3. V rare cases there is lacrimation and salivation with regular intake of the substance.
4. Symptoms of excess fluoride in the body include nausea, occasional vomiting, and loose stools.
5. Bleeding gums.
6. Performance deterioration thyroid gland.
7. Hair becomes brittle.
8. Perhaps the appearance of allergic rhinitis.
9. hoarseness or total loss vote.

If fluoride enters the body in large quantities, symptoms of poisoning develop.

Such conditions develop with prolonged intake of fluorine and its compounds in the human body. Or during contact with harmful chemical compounds containing fluorine.

How to remove fluoride from the body

At the first sign of an excess of this microelement, it is necessary to limit its intake with food. An important milestone in treatment chronic intoxication is the determination of the content of fluorine compounds in the body and in tap water. If children show signs of fluorosis, change toothpaste.

How else can you remove fluoride from the body? It is well bound by calcium preparations (gluconate and lactate), which are prescribed by health workers under the control of a blood test.

Poisoning should be treated only in a hospital under the supervision of doctors.
The value of this trace element is underestimated, because the development of the nervous and skeletal systems in a child depends on the content of fluorine. Trips to the dentist can be drastically reduced if the intake of this substance in the body is balanced from the moment a person is born.

Toothpaste is considered good when it not only gently cleans the teeth, but also protects them from caries. To prevent caries, toothpastes usually contain fluorine compounds - fluorides. At the same time, it is they who are considered by many to be the purest poison - on Russian market you can find pastes marked “fluoride-free”, and on European samples, for example, we see “fluoride-free”. What to do with caries? LookBio and ekokosmetika.ru checked the facts.

Let's talk concepts

Fluorine (engl: Fluorine) is a chemical element, reactive and poisonous gas. Fluorine salts are called fluorides (fluorides), they are found everywhere in nature, in food, for example, fish, black tea, mineral water. Fluorides are also found in the human body - in bones and teeth.

Fluorides are known for their ability to prevent cavities, so they can be found in most toothpastes. The following fluorine compounds are most often used in pastes:

sodium fluoride
potassium fluoride (Potassium Fluoride)
tin fluoride (Stannous Fluoride)
aminofluoride/olaflur (Aminofluorid/Olaflur)
monofluorophosphate sodium (Sodium monofluorophosphate)
calcium fluoride (Calcium fluoride)

Decades of fluoride use in toothpaste and the corresponding reduction in caries in the population prove the effectiveness of fluoride in the fight against caries. In some countries, such as the USA and Canada, fluoride is added to drinking water and can be found commercially. edible salt with fluorides.

It is worth saying here why we insist on the correct use of terms and will not speak incorrectly ourselves. The fact is that the combination "toothpaste without fluoride" or "fluorine in toothpaste" - exactly such formulations are found on dental hygiene products on the Russian market or in accusatory articles on the Internet, is wrong both from a chemical and linguistic point of view. Why fluorides "went to the people" in the form of fluorine is reliably known, probably, only to the tooth fairy. Fluorine is a reactive and poisonous gas, in a paste in pure form no, but there are precisely its compounds, fluorine ions - fluorides.

The effect of fluoride in toothpaste

Bacteria in the oral flora break down the sugars in food into acids. These acids leach minerals from tooth enamel. Saliva in the mouth is responsible for replenishing required level minerals, but overconsumption sugar saliva can no longer cope with its task. This is where fluoride toothpaste comes to the rescue, which forms a protective film on the teeth, reducing the formation of acid in the mouth and thus stabilizing the minerals in the tooth enamel. Fluorides also help the calcium phosphates in saliva to penetrate faster into the tooth enamel. All this only works when we brush our teeth. Therefore, regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste should keep your teeth healthy and fight cavities. This is what the recommendations of most dentists around the world sound like.

From benefit to harm

Fluorides are classified as toxic substances - their excessive amount that enters the body, especially during long period can cause significant harm. That is why there are restrictions on the percentage of fluorine compounds introduced into children's and adult toothpaste. For example, in the European Union and the United States, the amount of fluoride in toothpaste must be listed on the packaging in the form "ppm F" (parts per million). Fluorides may be listed on the list of active ingredients or on general list paste ingredients. According to EU Directive (EU Directive 76/768/EEC), a cosmetic product (including toothpaste) cannot be marketed if the amount of fluoride in it exceeds 1500 ppm F. Modern adult toothpastes sold in the EU, contain from 1000-1500 ppm F. At the same time, the package must contain the mark “adults only”. Children's fluoride toothpastes should state "Children under 6: Use a small amount of toothpaste." Since children often partially swallow toothpaste, children's toothpastes are either fluoride-free or limited to 250-500 ppm. Also, children's fluoride pastes are recommended to be made without a sweet taste, which provokes the ingestion of the paste.

In Russia, restrictions on the amount of fluoride in toothpaste also exist. They are regulated Technical Regulations of the Customs Union TR TS 009/2011 "On the safety of perfumery and cosmetic products" and amount to 0.15% in terms of fluorine. Therefore, if 10000ppm = 1%, then the European 1500 ppm is “our” 0.15%.

Excessive concentration of fluoride in dental care or frequent use liquids, foods or medicines containing fluoride compounds can cause dental fluorosis, which is characterized by a change in the enamel leading to the loss of its natural color and the appearance of chalky, yellow and dark streaks on the teeth. Long-term fluoride overdose can lead to bone fluorosis, kidney problems, and more.

However, adults who brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste have nothing to worry about, even with the concomitant use of table salt with fluoride. The vast majority of experts today believe that fluoride in toothpaste is the best prevention caries, and allowable norms in dental hygiene products do not pose a health hazard.

Yes, in theory, if a child swallows a full tube of adult fluoride toothpaste, they will get poisoned. In any case, if parents have doubts about an overdose, they should contact their pediatrician.

Fluorides in certified natural cosmetics

Natural certifications such as COSMOS (BDIH, Soil Association, ICEA, Cosmebio, Ecocert) and NaTrue allow the use of fluoride in toothpaste. However, most manufacturers and consumers of natural and organic cosmetics are against fluoride: they believe in caries prevention through healthy saliva and correct tooth brushing, believing that potentially toxic fluoride has no place in the mouth (and body) even in minimal amounts. Due to these beliefs, eco-certified toothpastes for adults and children contain other ingredients for caries prevention. These can be various herbal extracts or xylitol. However, to date, there is no credible scientific evidence that xylitol (without fluoride) in toothpaste is effective in preventing cavities.

German natural cosmetics manufacturers are now expanding their dentifrice product lines to include fluoride toothpastes. The fact is that in product tests (for example, in the popular German magazine Oekotest), which are trusted by consumers, fluoride-free pastes often fall into the last lines of the ratings.

Carefully! Quackery in Runet

Serious studies that could prove the harm of fluoride, on this moment, are difficult. At the same time, you can find sites on the Internet that denounce fluorides from all sides and greatly exaggerate their danger and level of toxicity. As a rule, such information is intimidated by sites created in the commercial interests of manufacturers of some kind of “healthy alternative” to fluoride pastes. When looking for information about the dangers of fluoride, please pay attention to the reliability of the source and the availability of links to Scientific research and source data.

conclusions

• Fluorides found in toothpastes are effective modern means for caries prevention.
• The presence of caries can also be due to poor oral hygiene, nutritional deficiencies and health problems.
• Yes, fluorides are toxic, but not to the extent that they are found in toothpaste.
• If you can eliminate sugar completely, you can also eliminate fluoride pasta.
• For oral hygiene in children, only pastes without fluoride or with reduced content fluorides.
• With or without fluoride, your pasta will be a matter of personal choice for everyone.
• It's correct to say "fluoride-free toothpaste", not "fluoride-free toothpaste".

Studies on the effect of fluoride on the condition of the teeth and the whole body are constantly being conducted. Fluorine-containing compounds are found not only in the composition of toothpastes, but also in various foods, in medicinal mineral waters, they are added to vitamin complexes. The main thing is that their content does not exceed the permissible norms, within which there is no Negative influence per person.

The effect of fluoride on tooth enamel is caused by several mechanisms:

• already during the formation of milk teeth in early age fluorine accumulates in tooth enamel, providing its strength;
• in adults, the ions of this mineral are also constantly concentrated in the teeth, providing their strong enamel layer;
• fluorine prevents demineralization of tooth areas and has a bactericidal effect.

The development of caries and its further complications largely depend on the demineralization of individual sections of the tooth. Human saliva contains a sufficient number of bacteria that affect its hyperacidity, due to which there is an aggressive effect on the surface of the enamel. As a result, there is a lack of such important trace elements like phosphorus and calcium.

Fluorides prevent the loss of minerals and fight microorganisms in saliva. At the same time, having a toxic effect on bacteria, they also have an adverse effect on human cellular structures in the same way.

What is the harm to teeth caused by excess fluoride?

V allowable quantities fluorides have positive impact not only on tooth enamel, but also on the state of the body as a whole. They affect the human skeleton, providing its strength and elasticity, the condition of nails and hair. Their deficiency can upset the balance of the internal environment of the body and teeth in particular. In this case, the excess may have more serious consequences and be the cause of the formation of defects: characteristic spotting on the surface of the teeth, crumbling of the enamel.

In dentistry, this disease is called fluorosis - this is a common pathology associated with enamel damage due to prolonged excessive accumulation of fluorine compounds in it.

Children are more susceptible to this disease. Their daily requirement in this mineral ranges from 2-3 mg and is completely satisfied with water and food. When using fluoride-containing pastes, its overdose can easily develop. That is why dentists agree that children can use such pastes only with a special prescription from a doctor. Teeth cleaning should be supervised by an adult.

In an adult, the daily requirement for fluorine is higher - 4-6 mg. Acute overdose is rare, more often there is a prolonged chronic poisoning fluorine compounds.

Symptoms of fluoride poisoning and its consequences

Chronic fluoride poisoning can be manifested not only by changes in tooth enamel, but also by the appearance of other symptoms. These include:

• causeless weight loss;
• anemia;
• appearance general weakness and dizziness;
• mobility disorders in the joints;
• appearance endocrine diseases, in particular dysfunction of the thyroid gland;
• increased bone fragility.

These signs can also appear in other diseases. It is important to draw the attention of the doctor to the fact of using toothpaste.

When these symptoms appear, you must:

1. Completely exclude further ingress of fluorine-containing substances into the body.
2. Apply for specialized care to the doctor for additional surveys and symptomatic treatment.
3. Take measures to remove the mineral from the body as soon as possible.

Cases of acute poisoning at home are more common when swallowed by children a large number fluoride toothpastes. The main symptoms are abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. In severe intoxication, severe headaches and seizures may develop.

At acute poisoning fluorides, it is necessary to urgently call an ambulance team. Until this time, rinse the stomach, drinking as much as possible possible number pure water.

How to remove the mineral from the body?

The substance is excreted from the body on its own certain time. However, there are several tricks to help speed up its removal:

1. Special therapeutic diet. Avoid frequent tea consumption, pay attention natural products without industrial processing. Some sources recommend eating plenty of fresh watermelons.
2. Water quality. Tap water is often fluoridated to disinfect it. In this case, the use of special carbon filters is recommended. Also, for drinking and cooking, you can buy special purified water.
3. The use of a sufficient amount of iodine and bromine. These elements help to remove fluoride from the body. It is important to avoid their overdose.
4. Dry saunas. They provide increased sweating, due to which there is an increased excretion of the substance with sweat. A prerequisite during these procedures is adequate maintenance of water balance. It is important to avoid dehydration.

Hazardous fluoride compounds for humans in toothpaste

In toothpaste, fluoride is found in bound state and is an inactive form. Only when it enters the body, under conditions of body temperature and interaction with saliva, its active ions are released from fluorine-containing compounds. The main connections are:

1. Sodium monofluorophosphate. It is characterized by slow decay into ions, due to which it is considered ineffective in dental practice. During brushing your teeth (1-3 minutes) does not have time to release required amount fluorine.
2. sodium fluoride. Most commonly used in toothpaste. A compound that actively dissociates into ions. Possesses good properties to restore the mineralization of teeth. Can be used by children.
3. Aminofluoride (ophthalur). It has a high remineralizing ability. Additionally, it creates a thin film on the enamel, from which fluorine is still for a long time after brushing the teeth gets into the tooth enamel. It is the most active ingredient in toothpastes.
4. Tin fluoride. Currently rarely used in dentistry, because it has a number of side effects: possible staining of tooth areas in dark color, discoloration of the filling, increased inflammation in periodontitis.

The amount of fluoride in the products of various manufacturers

Below are the popular fluorine-containing pastes, depending on the amount of this mineral in them:

• PRESIDENT Classic. Active substance- sodium fluoride, general content fluorides - 1450 ppm. An additional active substance in the composition is xylitol, which also has a strong cariesstatic effect.
• Colgate Ultimate caries protection. Active substance- sodium monofluorophosphate, additionally contains an enamel protection substance - liquid calcium, fluoride content - 1450 ppm. Approved for use by children from 6 years of age under the supervision of adults.
• Blend-a-Med with active fluoride. Contains 1450 ppm sodium fluoride. Permanent use is not recommended, it is necessary to alternate with other pastes that do not contain fluorine.
• Paradontax with fluoride. The active substance is sodium fluoride, 1400 ppm. The manufacturer indicates that the product is suitable for daily use by adults. It is not recommended for children under 12 years of age, since the maximum amount of the mineral allowed for them (200–500 ppm) is significantly exceeded.
• SPLAT "Arktikum" - contains sodium fluoride and aminofluoride. Their total content is low - 1000 ppm, so the paste can be recommended for permanent use.

Fluoride has been added to toothpaste for about 100 years. This suggests that he does an excellent job with the anti-caries function. But many don't know what fluorine actually looks like. Fluorine is a toxic gas that, when in contact with human skin, causes damage. Did you know that the toxicity of fluoride can be compared to that of mercury? However, it is not as toxic as arsenic.

Fluorides are all fluorine compounds, which also belong to toxic substances. In industry, it has been used to obtain uranium hexafluoride, from which Teflon and insecticides contained in insecticides. Fluorides are also found in toothpastes and have been approved by dentists around the world.

It should be noted that compounds are contained in toothpastes in small quantities. All bacteria that accumulate on teeth cause demineralization, but fluoride in toothpaste prevents this and forms remineralization. Therefore, dentists recommend toothpastes containing fluoride as a systemic therapy.

During the manufacture of toothpaste, the composition includes the following components:

• sodium fluoride;
• tin fluoride;
• sodium monofluorophosphate;
• aminofluoride;
• aluminum fluoride.

When fluorides are in the tube, they are not active, but as soon as a small amount of them enters the mouth, they begin to dissociate into ions. As a result this process active fluorine ions appear. Therefore, the paste must contain fluorine in its composition, because it is the main protector of teeth from caries.

What are fluorides

Fluorides are a solid compound of fluorine or, in other words, a salt of hydrofluoric acid. All drinking water contains fluoride, but it does not exceed the dangerous level. In some countries, it is even added to salt and other foods. But scientists warn the dose of fluorine content in products did not exceed 0.005 otherwise it is dangerous for children under 12 years of age.

Fluorides can cause poisoning, because it is toxic substance and if you exceed its dose, the body will feel a strong load, health deteriorates, and chronic diseases begin to progress.

Products containing fluoride

This substance is found in the following products:

• mackerel, herring, shrimps, cod, seaweed and caviar;
• black and green tea;
• wholemeal bread, oatmeal, rice;
• freshwater fish;
• milk, chicken meat, eggs, liver;
• apples, grapefruit, spinach and onions.

Harm or benefit?

To begin with, it is worth considering the fact that fluorine is recognized highly toxic substance, therefore, it has a bad effect on the metabolism in the human body. It is impossible to immediately feel the harm from it, because first it accumulates in the body, and only then makes itself felt in the form of kidney disease. With age, the accumulation of fluoride in the body only accelerates, which leads to the development of degenerative diseases. Therefore, most scientists advise avoiding foods containing fluoride.

When it enters the stomach, it begins to destroy its mucosa, then proceeds to the destruction of veins and arteries. This leads to calcification of the walls of blood vessels, and then to atherosclerosis. In addition, fluorides can reduce the functioning of some organs. exposed to fluorine nervous system, liver, thyroid, kidneys and brain.

But dentists claim that these compounds are still necessary for dental health. When fluorine and calcium interact, fluorapatite is formed and this prevents the growth of bacteria in the oral cavity. In addition to being toxic to humans, fluoride is also harmful to bacteria. Therefore, with the help of fluoride, an anti-caries effect is formed. But in addition to all this, the benefits of it are as follows:

• it is considered one of the strong antiseptics;
• stops the process of plaque formation on the teeth and the formation of calculus;
• improves metabolism;
• the salivary glands begin to work better and it forms a remineralization action.

According to a study, when a person switches to fluoride-free toothpaste, they develop cavities, because dental deposits quickly accumulate on the enamel, and fluoride-free toothpastes are unable to remove them. Considering harm and benefit, experts argue that from oral cavity fluorine can't get into the blood, and if the paste is completely spit out and not swallowed, then there is no harm from it. For children, it is best to buy fluoride-free toothpastes because they most often swallow it.

If fluorides for some reason got into the human body, then they are no longer removed from it. They are primarily stored in the bones and thyroid gland, and also replace iodine, therefore, in case of thyroid diseases, a person is prescribed drugs containing iodine.

Fluorides can lead to rapid aging body, wrinkles appear, hair and nails deteriorate, and articular cartilage wears out quickly, leading to arthritis. Also, fluorine does not allow calcium to be excreted from the bone tissue, which is the reason for the increase in its density. As a result, bone mass increases and bones lose strength and become brittle.

Symptoms of poisoning

When this substance is exceeded in the body, a person begins to feel unwell, so an excess of fluorine can lead to the following symptoms:

• convulsions;
• stomach pain and even the appearance of an ulcer;
• bleeding gums;
• salivation;
• malfunctions of the thyroid gland;
• brittle hair;
• allergic rhinitis;
• loss of voice.

In severe cases, fluoride poisoning can lead to lethal outcome. This state may appear with prolonged intake of the substance in the human body. It can also happen when in contact with harmful chemical compounds containing fluorine.

Is it possible to remove fluoride from the body?

If you immediately notice the symptoms of poisoning on initial stage, then immediately you need to reduce the consumption of products with its content . A special stage in the treatment of chronic intoxication determination of its content in the body is considered. If the child has signs of fluorosis, then the toothpaste should be changed.

Also, preparations containing calcium will help to remove fluoride, but this should be done only under the control of a blood test. Therefore, poisoning should be treated only under the supervision of a specialist and in a hospital. And frequent trips to the dentist will greatly reduce or balance the intake of fluoride in the body from birth.

In dentistry

It is imperative to know the differences between fluoride intake and fluoride use. Only topical application of fluorides can localize the formation of caries. But despite this, fluorides interfere with the strengthening of enamel, which ends after the full formation of teeth. All this time, the mineralization of the teeth can be disturbed due to exposure to fluoride, which is the cause of damage to the enamel.

In countries where fluoride is added to drinking water, people's enamel is too porous and white spots appear on their teeth. Fluoride toothpaste forms a thin protective layer on the enamel which protects teeth from caries. There is one prohibition against fluoride toothpastes - do not use them during pregnancy and lactation.

When buying toothpaste, you should read in which compound fluoride is present in the composition. The most effective compound that helps to avoid caries is sodium fluoride and aminofluoride. It is best to purchase pastes containing these components. If a person does not swallow the paste when brushing their teeth, then fluoride will not penetrate into the blood. It remains only on the enamel and will protect the teeth. Therefore, fluoride toothpastes are safe for adults.

In isolated cases, it can harm the teeth - this is the formation of dental fluorosis. This disease appears in children and occurs in those countries where the content of the substance in drinking water is exceeded.

Is it possible to protect yourself from the intake of fluoride in the body?

To active ingredients fluorine could not harm the body, you must follow a few rules:

1. Always read the ingredients of your toothpaste.
2. If you need to take a fluorinated agent, then it is best to consult a specialist first.
3. Do not buy fluoride paste for children under 5 years of age.
4. When flying to other countries, you need to know in advance about the level of fluoride in drinking water.
5. In order to reduce its ingress into the body during brushing, it is necessary to reduce the amount of toothpaste to a small pea.

Before you choose your own toothpaste, mouthwash or special chewing plates for caries, you should consult a dentist and strictly follow all his recommendations.