The usual form of fluorine in our bodies is fluoride. Populations with a low intake of fluoride (about 1.2 milligrams per day for adults) have more dental decay (caries) than those with a higher intake (3.5 to 4.5 milligrams per day for adults). The fluoridation of public water supplies in low fluoride areas has significantly reduced decay in these areas. The fluoride content of a water supply is often described by the term 'parts per million' (ppm). 1 ppm = 0.1 milligram per 100 millilitres. About 1 ppm seems to be the optimal level of fluoride in the water supply; a litre of such water would provide 1 milligram of fluoride. At 2 ppm, mottling of tooth enamel may occur. The condition of 'fluorosis' or excessive deposition of fluoride in bones, with associated skeleton deformities, is only present after prolonged consumption of 20 to 80 milligrams of fluoride per day.

FLUORIDE INTAKE

The intake of fluoride, at the higher end of the safe range, has also been associated with reduced osteoporosis ('thinning of bones'), which is a fairly common condition in elderly people. Therefore, this also may be favourably affected by the fluoridation of water.

Safe and adequate daily intake of fluoride (U.S.A.):
Infants: Children: Adults:	0.1-0.5 milligram 1-3 years: 0.5-1.5 milligrams 4-6 years: 1.0-2.5 milligrams 7+ years: 1.5-2.5 milligrams 1.5-4.0 milligrams

FIGURE 53: FLUORIDE CONTENT OF SOME FOODS AND BEVERAGES

FOOD	FLUORIDE CONTENT   (milligrams per 100 grams of food or beverage)
Crude sea salt Fish and seafood Fluoridated water Tea	3.5-5.5 0.5-1 0.1 0.05-0.2

Note: 1 ml of beverage weighs approximately 1 gram.

 

	Elements
	-	Sodium
	-	Potassium
	-	Calcium
	-	Magnesium
	-	Iron
	-	Phosporus
	-	Sulphur
	-	Chlorine
	-	Copper
	-	Zinc
	-	Iodine
		Fluorine
	-	Chromium
	-	Manganese
	-	Selenium
	-	Cobalt
	-	Molybdenum
	-	Nickel
	-	Tin
	-	Silicon
	-	Vanadium
	-	Cadmium

Also on this page:

-  Fluorine intake
-  Fluorine RDI
-  Figure 53: Fluorine
   content of some food

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