EC Clinical and Medical Case Reports

Fluoride, naturally present in numerous foods and water sources, helps prevent tooth decay and promotes the remineralization of dental enamel. Two recent dental school graduates from the late 19^th and early 20^th century, Black and McKay, were the first to propose using fluoride as an effective caries prevention agent. In the past, individuals relied on the natural source of fluoride, mainly water and some foods. In some places, the fluoride level in the water was so low that it did not provide any benefits in the form of enamel protection. However, high fluoride levels in water sources cause endemic fluorosis that affects about 200 million people worldwide and is prevalent in countries such as India, Iran, Kenya, and Mexico. In the past, water fluoridation was heralded as one of the most significant public health achievements in the twentieth century for avoiding dental cavities. Since this method is neither cost-effective nor practical in many places, particularly rural ones, scientists and policymakers have studied alternative methods, such as milk or salt fluoridation, for providing fluoride to the general population. However, excessive fluoride exposure can be hazardous and lead to various illnesses, including skeletal fluorosis, muscle weakness, kidney failure, and gastrointestinal issues. This excessive fluoride consumption and toxicity prompted several nations to abolish fluoridation. Today's leading causes of poisoning are unsupervised ingestion of dental and oral hygiene products and excessive water fluoridation. Future studies should deliver a safe level of fluoride over time and give it in ways other than water fluoridation.

Keywords: Hydrofluoric Acid (HF); Fluoride’s Effects; Human Body; Water Fluoridation

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