fluoride poisoning

fluoride

 [floor´īd]

any binary compound of fluorine.

fluoride poisoning a toxic condition that sometimes occurs with ingestion of excessive fluoride. Acute fluoride poisoning involves an immediate physiological reaction, with nausea, vomiting, hypersalivation, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Chronic fluoride poisoning is a physiological reaction to long term exposure to high levels of fluoride and is characterized by dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis, and kidney damage. Called also fluorosis.

systemic fluoride a fluoride ingested in water, supplements, or some other form. See also fluoridation.

topical fluoride a fluoride applied directly to the teeth, especially of children, in a dental caries prevention program.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

fluoride poisoning

An acute excess of fluoride may be fatal (either accidental or suicidal), given its affinity for calcium. Fluoride is found in rodenticides, insecticides, fertilisers, industrial chemicals, anaesthetics and in overconcentraions in the water supply (due to miscalculation), and adverse effects occur due to its:
• Inhalation (coughing, choking, chills, fever);
• Ingestion (nausea, vomiting, salivation, paraesthesias, diarrhoea, abdominal pain); or
• Direct contact (hydrogen fluoride is similar to hydrogen chloride, causing severe skin burns).
 
Acute fluoride poisoning caused the lowest serum calcium levels ever recorded, 0.85 mmol/L (US: 3.4 mg/dL)

Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.

fluoride poisoning

Fluoride intoxication Toxicology An acute excess of fluoride, which may be fatal–accidental/suicidal, given its affinity for calcium; it is present in some rodenticides, insecticides, fertilizers, industrial and anesthetics Clinical, inhaled Cough, choking, chills, fever Clinical, ingested N&V, salivation, paresthesias, diarrhea, abdominal pain Clinical–contact HF is similar to HCl, and causes severe skin burns; acute intoxication may be due to an excess in the water supply. See Fluorosis.

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Patient discussion about fluoride poisoning

Q. How do you differentiate between fluorosis and caries? Both appear as white spots on the teeth, so clinically how do you differentiate between them? I know it has something to do with their appearance while wet and dry, but I am not sure what? please help me I can't find this in any book.

A. Only mild fluorosis is seen as white stop lesion on the tooth. It usually comes with brown spots. Look for them. Another method is trying to stick a dental explorer into it (not the Microsoft one- it’ll only be a portal for viruses..) and because caries is demineralized area it will feel kind of sticky. But I wouldn’t do that…it can harm the teeth. Another way is by an x ray. Fluorosis- you will see it as a whiter spot. Caries- a more translucent spot.

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