Fluoride – Beneficial Impact or Hazardous Excess? Functions and Properties for the Human Body
Alicja Kowalska
2026-03-15
6 min. read
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Fluoride is a constituent that belongs to the group of microelements that are not as indispensable for our body as calcium, potassium or sodium. However, alterations in its level, including deficiency or excess, can result in severe health implications. It is beneficial to grasp the role fluoride plays in the human body and its health implications. It is also crucial to understand the individual requirement for this constituent and the food sources in which it is present.
Fluoride: Role and Characteristics of the Element
Fluoride is a non-metallic element belonging to the halogen group. In its free state, it is primarily encountered in chemical laboratories. There, it appears as a yellow-green, highly toxic gas with a sharp odor. Due to its high chemical reactivity, it naturally occurs mostly in compounds with other elements and particles. It exhibits a strong affinity for elements such as calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, aluminum, and molybdenum. Fluoride is widely distributed across the planet. Its compounds are components of water, soil, and ancient geological layers. Fluoride plays a crucial role in the proper functioning of the human body. An average adult contains approximately 225 mg of fluoride (about 3 mg/kg of body weight). This element is vital for growth processes. Consequently, adequate fluoride intake is essential in the diets of children and adolescents. In young organisms, roughly 80% of ingested fluoride is utilized for bone and tooth development. This percentage decreases with age. In adults, over half of the fluoride is used for bone repair and remodeling. Fluoride can modify the substances forming tooth enamel by creating fluoroapatites. These compounds protect enamel from the harmful effects of caries-causing bacteria.
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