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 is hotly disputed. General Name, Symbol, Number Fluorine, F, 9 Series Halogens Group, Period, Block 17 (VIIA), 2, p Density, Hardness 1. ... In high concentrations, as with almost all substances, fluoride compounds are toxic. ...
See also
Water fluoridation Water fluoridation is the act of adding fluoride ions to water in order to reduce tooth decay in the general population. ...
Fluoride is considered a trace element because only small amounts are present in the body (about 2.6 grams in adults), and because the daily requirement for maintaining dental health is only a few milligrams a day.
Although fluoride in pharmacologic doses has been shown to be a potent therapeutic agent for increasing spinal bone mass (see Disease treatment), there is little evidence that water fluoridation at optimum levels for the prevention of dental caries is helpful in the prevention of osteoporosis.
Fluoride supplements are available only by prescription, and are intended for children living in areas with low water fluoride concentrations for the purpose of bringing their intake to approximately 1 mg/day (5).