Fluoride is a mineral that can improve dental health. A fluoride treatment in College Station, TX, can strengthen your teeth, protect them from cavities, and slow down or stop tooth decay.
However, fluoride overuse does have some negative consequences. In this article, we’ll cover them while analyzing how much fluoride is too much.
How Much Fluoride Is Too Much Fluoride?
The American Dental Association states that a person would need to consume five liters of water for each kilogram of body weight to suffer from true fluoride toxicity and a serious or life-threatening illness. At 155 pounds, an adult would need to down about 120 gallons of water in one sitting—that is, twice the volume of water in a bathtub.
This is practically impossible, as you’d pass out first due to the high-water intake, before even reaching a fluoride intoxication.
What Are the Risks of Too Much Fluoride?
Still, excess fluoride—without reaching a lethal dose—can lead to dental issues like fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis.
Dental fluorosis is a common development among children. It occurs when they consume too much fluoride during tooth development, often because they eat their fluoride toothpaste.
Once teeth start emerging over their gums, they may have streaks, spots, or pits on their surfaces. That’s why this condition is also called mottled teeth. Nevertheless, it doesn’t impact their oral health and is often reversible.
Skeletal fluorosis is an extremely rare condition that results from long-term exposure to excessive fluoride. It causes nerve problems, weak bones, muscle loss, and joint pain and stiffness.
Get a Fluoride Treatment in College Station, TX
Fluoride has been proven to strengthen teeth’s enamel and prevent cavities. Although excess fluoride can lead to some complications, reaching these limits is very hard and, in most cases, reversible.
If you’re interested in getting a fluoride treatment in College Station, TX, reach out!
