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Having grown up in Sweden, being told that fluoride applied topically was functional at reducing caries but that eating toothpaste or swallowing the fluoride ri

by lutorm 11y ago

Having grown up in Sweden, being told that fluoride applied topically was functional at reducing caries but that eating toothpaste or swallowing the fluoride rinse that we got in elementary school was bad for you, I was astonished to learn that some countries put it in their water. Even in the U.S., toothpaste containers warn you not to swallow it and contact a Poison Control Center if you accidentally do. And then they put it in tap water? It just seems really inconsistent.

aggie 11y ago
Just a guess but those cases are probably due to the fluoride concentration of the rinse and toothpaste. Things that can be beneficial at small doses can be harmful in larger doses.
sliverstorm 11y ago
I suspect that the "don't eat toothpaste" stuff is mostly overblown and primarily just to ensure kids don't eat toothpaste like candy (which kids will do). In large quantities (say, a whole tube) it will make you throw up, and maybe you could accumulate too much flouride. Is a pea-sized drop on your toothbrush going to hurt you if you swallow it, no, but there's no reason to swallow toothpaste and a number of mild reasons why you probably shouldn't.
snowwrestler 11y ago
The actual warning is: > Keep out of reach of children under 6 years of age. If more than used for brushing is accidentally swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. Note: more than used for brushing So, it's fine to swallow your toothpaste if you want. But if your 4 year swallows a whole tube of it, they are probably going to get sick to their stomach.
DanBC 11y ago
Toothpaste has lots of fluoride in, because it's a topical treatment. Eating the toothpaste risks "fluorosis" - discoloured teeth. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis
mikeyouse 11y ago
As the saying goes, Sola dosis facit venenum Or, 'The dose makes the poison'.. Many things are completely fine in small amounts but are dangerous in larger amounts.
amalag 11y ago
Here in the US fertilizer manufacturers need somewhere to dump their flouride byproducts, so we have it in the water.
jws 11y ago
The CDC requires drinking water to have less than 4mg/liter fluoride. There is a guideline of less than 2mg/liter. Fluoridation for dental health is done at 0.7mg/liter. The only health effects observed at 4mg/liter are dental fluorosis, staining of teeth as they form in children. There are places in the United States where the natural drinking water exceeds 4mg/liter. King Hill, Idaho (population 100) wins with 16mg/liter.

by lutorm 11y ago

aggie 11y ago

Just a guess but those cases are probably due to the fluoride concentration of the rinse and toothpaste. Things that can be beneficial at small doses can be harmful in larger doses.

sliverstorm 11y ago

I suspect that the "don't eat toothpaste" stuff is mostly overblown and primarily just to ensure kids don't eat toothpaste like candy (which kids will do). In large quantities (say, a whole tube) it will make you throw up, and maybe you could accumulate too much flouride. Is a pea-sized drop on your toothbrush going to hurt you if you swallow it, no, but there's no reason to swallow toothpaste and a number of mild reasons why you probably shouldn't.

snowwrestler 11y ago

The actual warning is: > Keep out of reach of children under 6 years of age. If more than used for brushing is accidentally swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. Note: more than used for brushing So, it's fine to swallow your toothpaste if you want. But if your 4 year swallows a whole tube of it, they are probably going to get sick to their stomach.

DanBC 11y ago

Toothpaste has lots of fluoride in, because it's a topical treatment. Eating the toothpaste risks "fluorosis" - discoloured teeth. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis

mikeyouse 11y ago

As the saying goes, Sola dosis facit venenum Or, 'The dose makes the poison'.. Many things are completely fine in small amounts but are dangerous in larger amounts.

amalag 11y ago

Here in the US fertilizer manufacturers need somewhere to dump their flouride byproducts, so we have it in the water.

jws 11y ago

The CDC requires drinking water to have less than 4mg/liter fluoride. There is a guideline of less than 2mg/liter. Fluoridation for dental health is done at 0.7mg/liter. The only health effects observed at 4mg/liter are dental fluorosis, staining of teeth as they form in children. There are places in the United States where the natural drinking water exceeds 4mg/liter. King Hill, Idaho (population 100) wins with 16mg/liter.