engleski

The toxicity of the fluorides in oral hygiene products

Many studies have shown antimicrobial and caries preventive effects of fluorides applied directly to the tooth surface. Fluorides are commonly added in oral hygiene products. According to the World Health Organization, today fluoride toothpastes are used by over 500 million people in the world. The most common caries preventive compound of toothpaste are fluorides. Although, acute or chronic poisoning from fluorides in oral hygiene products is unlikely, it is necessary to draw attention to the existing threat. Toothpastes designed for use in adults, usually contain 1450ppm fluoride or 0.32% of sodium fluoride. Toothpastes designed for use in children of 6 to 12 years, usually contain 1000ppm fluoride, or 0.2% of sodium fluoride. Toothpastes designed for use in children younger than 6 years, usually contain 500ppm fluoride, or 0.1% of sodium fluoride. Fluoride is often added to the mouthwash usually containing sodium fluoride at concentration of 0.02 to 0.05%. A mouthwash is intended for use in adults only. The lethal dose for man is from 32 to 64 milligrams of fluorine per kilogram of body weight. A lethal dose of sodium fluoride is 5 to 10 grams for men weighting 70kg. In children even a half of a gram of sodium fluoride can be fatal. In 100 grams of toothpaste for adults is 0.32 grams of sodium fluoride. So, for a man who weights 70kg lethal dose of sodium fluoride is contained in about 1500 grams of toothpaste for adults. For a child who weights 20kg lethal dose of sodium fluoride is contained in about 440 grams of toothpaste for adults, ie from 700 to 1400 grams of toothpaste for children. Mouthwashes are usually packaged in vials of 200- 500ml size and containing from 0.1 to 0.25 grams of sodium fluoride in the packaging. Thus, for a man who weights 70kg lethal dose of sodium fluoride is contained in 20 vials per 500ml of mouthwash. For a child who weights 20kg lethal dose of sodium fluoride is contained in about 5.5 bottles per 500ml of mouthwash. The victims of fluoride poisoning from oral hygiene products are, mostly, children. It is necessary to keep the oral hygiene products out of the reach of children. When your child is brushing teeth, it is necessary to adult to put a proper amount of toothpaste on the toothbrush, and the tube with the rest of the paste immediately return to the place beyond the child's reach. It is not recommended that a household have stock (more tubes or bottles) of oral hygiene products. The same measures are also needed for people with developmental disabilities and in some psychiatric patients. For the prevention of chronic poisoning, it is important that among the available modes of fluoridation (endogenous, professional topical, fluoridated toothpaste) select and implement only one.

fluoride ; toothpaste ; toxicity ; prevention

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