Sources of Fluorine, Deficiency Symptoms and Precautions
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Loading ...Sources of Fluorine
- Fluorine is found in Bengal gram, cereals - especially rice, some leafy vegetables, and most of all in dry tea leaves.
- Fluorine is found in small amounts in normal bones and teeth.
- Since water containing 1 to 2 parts per million(ppm) prevents dental caries and does not do any harm, the fluorine requirements of the body are met by the quantity normally present in drinking water in most regions.
Fluorine Deficiency Symptoms
- Deficiency of Fluorine causes dental caries.
- Studies on dental caries in human beings have shown that the incidence in children is high in areas where the drinking water contains less than 0.5 ppm fluorine, and low in areas where the water contains 1 to 2 ppm fluorine. It has further been shown that the addition of 1 ppm fluorine to drinking water significantly reduces the incidence of dental caries.
Healing Properties of Fluorine
Deficiency of fluorine can be prevented by sufficient intake of fresh vegetables, fish, fruits, tea, and dried meat.
Precautions
- Signs and symptoms of dental fluorosis have been observed in several countries where the drinking water contains excessive amounts of fluorine, that is, from 3 to 5 ppm.
- In these cases, the enamel of the teeth loses its luster and chalky white patches are found irregularly over the surface of the teeth.
- In severe cases, there is a marked loss of enamel with the tooth surface acquiring a corroded appearance.
- Prolonged drinking of water containing excessive amounts of fluorine over 10 ppm can lead to fluorine intoxication.
- Workers handling fluoride-containing minerals can also suffer from this problem. This may result in pathological changes in the bones.
- There may be an increased density and hyper calcification of the bone of the spine, pelvis, and the limbs. The ligaments of the spine may also become calcified, producing a ‘poker back’.
- Neurological disturbances secondary to the changes in the vertebral column are common.
February 6, 2008 | Filed Under Minerals
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