Fluoride: safety issues

Fluoride has been used widely in dentistry to prevent dental caries. While there is little doubt regarding its efficacy, the safety of fluoride has been a controversial issue. Abundant scientific data accumulated over the years have demonstrated that other than dental fluorosis, there are no known adverse effects of long-term fluoride ingestion for caries prevention. However, the risk of an overdose is real, and it can result in serious acute toxicity, even death. Understanding potential risks and taking cautions can virtually eliminate the acute adverse effects of fluoride. These potential risks need to be recognized in order to take full advantage of fluoride's benefits.