Fluoride Balance: Benefits, Toxicity, And Prevention

Fluoride Balance: Benefits, Toxicity, And Prevention

Question 1. State the importance of fluoride
Answer:

• It is excreted by the kidney
• It passes the placental barrier
• Fluoride prevents the development of dental caries
• It converts hydroxyapatite to fluorapatite
• It is mostly found in bones & teeth
• It is deposited in other calcified tissues also
• It is required for the proper development of bones
• It inhibits the activities of certain enzymes
• Sodium fluoride inhibits enolase in glycolysis
• Fluoroacetate inhibits aconitase in the TCA cycle

Question 2. Fluorosis
Answer:

• Excessive intake of fluoride causes fluorosis

Types:

1. Dental Fluorosis

• Caused by fluoride intake above 2 ppm
• Its symptoms are:
• Mottling of enamel
• Discoloration of teeth
• Teeth become weak & rough
• Brown or yellow patches appear on their surfaces

2. Skeletal Fluorosis

• Caused by fluoride intake above 20 ppm
• It causes:
• Pathological changes in the bone
• Hypercalcification
• Bone density of limbs, pelvis & spine increases
• Ligaments of the spine & collagen of bones get calcified
• Neurological disturbances may also occur

3. Genu valgum

• It is an advanced stage of Fluorosis
• In it, individuals are unable to perform their routine work
• Joints become stiff
• Individuals are crippled