Fluoride is generally considered safe when used appropriately and within recommended limits. It is widely used in public water supplies, toothpaste, and dental treatments to prevent tooth decay. The World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and American Dental Association (ADA) all support its use based on decades of research showing significant dental health benefits.
However, excessive fluoride intake can lead to:
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Dental fluorosis (mostly cosmetic): Mottling or white spots on teeth, typically from high fluoride exposure during childhood while teeth are still forming.
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Skeletal fluorosis (rare in developed countries): A bone disease caused by very high, long-term fluoride intake, usually from contaminated water or industrial exposure.
Fluoride levels in public water are strictly regulated (typically around 0.7 mg/L in the U.S.), which is well below the threshold for adverse effects.
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