View source for Fluorine deficiency




'''Fluoride''' or '''fluorine deficiency''' is a medical condition in which a human, or other organism lacks the necessary compounds containing [[fluorine]] to keep bones and teeth healthy. The extent to which the condition truly exists, and its relationship to [[fluoride poisoning]] has arisen some controversy.

Fluoride is considered essential in the development and maintenance of teeth by the American Dental Hygiene Association.<ref>The American Dental Hygiene Association, ''Nutritional Factors in Tooth Development'' found [http://www.adha.org/CE_courses/course7/nutritional_factors.htm here].</ref>  The systemic effects of fluoride were first seen in 1931 when fluoride in high concentrations was found to stain teeth and prevent [[dental caries|tooth decay]].<ref name="csdshistory">[http://www.cs-ds.org/history.asp#fluoride History of Dentistry in the Pikes Peak Region],[http://www.cs-ds.org/index.asp Colorado Springs Dental Society] webpage, page accessed 25 February, 2006.</ref>

Excessive fluoride has been scientifically linked to death, brain damage, [[hypothyroidism]], cancer, [[liver]] damage, [[kidney]] function, and [[fluorosis]] in children.
<ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=16834990&query_hl=3&itool=pubmed_docsum PubMed NCBI Dose-effect relationship between drinking water fluoride levels and damage to liver and kidney functions in children.]</ref> Consequently, anti-fluoridation groups argue that there is no need to risk communities with fluoride.

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==See also==
*[[Water fluoridation]]



[[Category:Malnutrition]]
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