Fluoride and Liquid Vitamins

It is considered a trace element because only small amounts are present in the body (about 2.6 grams in adults), and because the daily requirement for maintaining dental health is only a few milligrams a day.

About 95% of the total body form of this nutrient is found in the bones and teeth. Although its role is in the prevention of dental caries, (tooth decay) is well established, it is not generally considered an essential mineral because humans do not require it for growth or to sustain life.

However, if one considers the prevention of chronic disease (dental caries) an important part of your health or your pet's health, then it might well be considered an important trace element. This nutrient is absorbed in the stomach and small intestines.

Because of liquid supplements superior absorption ratio (90%), they are very important sources with this process.

Once in the blood stream it rapidly enters mineralized tissue (bones and developing teeth). At usual intake levels, this nutrient does not accumulate in soft tissue.

The predominant mineral element in bone is crystals of calcium and phosphate, known as hydro-oxyapatite crystals.

This nutrients high chemical reactivity and small radius allow it to either displace the larger hydroxyl ion, forming fluoroapatite, or to increase crystal density. It ultimately hardens tooth enamel and stabilizes bone mineral.

In humans, the only clear effect of inadequate intake is an increased risk of dental caries (tooth decay) for individuals of all ages.

As a result, several U.S. communities, over time, have introduced this nutrient in small amounts into their water sources.

This nutrients content in most food is very low, however some rich sources include tea, grape juice, canned sardines (with bones), fish (without bones), and chicken.

Fluoride supplements, available only by prescription, are intended for children living in areas with low water concentrations of this nutrient for the purpose of bringing their intake to approximately 1 mg/day.

It is also now available in several different brands of toothpaste. There are also several very good choices of supplementation in today's market including the following:

Natural Sources for Fluoride

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