Hygiene Atlas

Atlas · Plate XV · Caries and Preventive Agents · 07

Fluoride toxicity

The probably toxic dose is 5 mg of fluoride per kg of body weight, so a 20 kg child reaches it at 100 mg. Below that, give milk or calcium and watch; at or above it, give calcium and send the patient to the hospital. Chronic excess while enamel forms, roughly birth to age 8, causes dental fluorosis.

High-yield facts · 8

  1. Probably toxic dose (PTD): 5 mg F/kg body weight; this triggers emergency treatment and hospital evaluation.S35
  2. Certainly lethal dose (CLD) for adults: about 32-64 mg F/kg (roughly 5-10 g NaF).S35
  3. Early signs of acute toxicity: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, excess salivation; then hypocalcemia, arrhythmia, seizures.S35
  4. Under 5 mg/kg: give milk or calcium to bind fluoride and observe. 5 mg/kg or more: give calcium and go to the hospital. Over 15 mg/kg: hospitalize immediately.S35
  5. Example: a 20 kg child reaches the PTD at 100 mg F. A 1.1% NaF (5,000 ppm) paste holds 5 mg F per gram.S35
  6. Dental fluorosis comes from chronic excess intake while enamel forms, roughly birth to 8 years; the maxillary central incisors are most at risk at about 15-30 months.S34
  7. Fluorosis ranges from faint white lines (very mild) to brown pitting (severe); Dean's index rates it.S34
  8. Skeletal fluorosis needs long-term intake well above water levels used in the US.S34

Facts are written in our own words; each tag links to its source. Values marked "sources vary" differ between references, so check the one your program uses.