Transcript Fluoride toxicity and its anti-cavity propertiesx

FLUORIDE TOXICITY AND ITS
ANTI-CAVITY PROPERTIES
Deanna Lopez, Yancey Aquino,
Johann Pacheco, and Cynthia
Schleck
WHY WE CHOSE FLUORIDE
Some people say the government puts fluoride in the water as a type of
population control. Most believe it is added to our water sources as an added
benefit to our pearly whites. Many are worried about that fluoride is contributing
to the rise in autism and other brain deficits in children. We will go through the
research on fluoride, hopeful to see if it really is effective for protecting our teeth,
what the toxic effects of it is, and if it can lead to autism of neurological deficits
in children. First we will cover some history on fluoride and its uses. Then go over
the toxicology of it including the mechanism of action. Based on the research we
will share results followed up with a discussion of them. Finally we will end with a
summary and conclusion. References will be found at the end of the presentation.
WHERE IS FLUORIDE FOUND?
• Fluoride is found in:
• Common Toothpaste (sodium monofluorophosphate)
• Vitamins and dietary supplements (sodium fluoride)
• Insecticides and rodenticides (sodium fluoride)
• Glass-etching or chrome-cleaning agents (ammonium
bifluoride) (Shin, 2014)
FLUORIDE CONTROVERSY
• According to Dwyer (2012), there has been an ongoing
argument on whether or not fluoride in our drinking water is in
fact toxic to children’s developing brain.
• It is commonly used to help with dental care therefore put in
toothpaste too.
• Lewis and Milgrom (2003) note that in the past 30 years the
availability of fluoride has played a huge part in the decline
of dental caries based on studies started in the 1900s and
followed up in 1940s.
MECHANISMS OF ACTIONS
1. Demineralization and mineralization
2. Inhibition of acid-producing bacteria responsible for caries
3. Effects of ion channels on the body
4. Fluoride in the pineal gland
MECHANSM OF ACTION #1
DEMINERALIZATION AND REMINERALIZATION
• This mechanism is the constant tug of
war between decay formation and
cavity repair.
• Tooth decay is the demineralization
due to an acidic environment which
releases some of the mineral content out
of the tooth’s tissue.
• The acidic substance are waste
products of bacteria within the
mouth
• The ideal pH for this acid is 4 or less
MECHANISM OF ACTION #1 (CONTINUED)
DEMINERALIZATION AND REMINERALIZATION
• The demineralization process is constantly
happening. To counteract this process and keep
teeth healthy, teeth undergo a process call
remineralization.
• Remineralization is the recovery of minerals through
the dissolving of ions in the saliva.
• These ions include Fluoride, Calcium, and
Phosphate.
• Fluoride is the most effective way to prevent
cavities and promote remineralization.
• Fluoride is adsorbed by the surface of the tooth
which is damaged. This aspect leads to the speed
up of the remineralization rate and then causes the
new surface to be stronger than the original
surface.
MECHANISM OF ACTION #1 (CONTINUED)
DEMINERALIZATION AND REMINERALIZATION
• Once the pH in the oral cavity reaches below 5.5,
bacteria starts to dissolve the inner surface of the
tooth, a process called demineralization.
• However, when Fluoride is present, the pH rises and
demineralization is prevented.
• During remineralization, the basic components
of the tooth (hydroxyapatite and carbonated
hydroxyapatite) are transformed to fluorapatite
• This process only happens when conditions are
favorable such as having the correct minerals
present and having the pH higher than 5.5
MECHANISM OF ACTION #2 FLUORIDE
ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES
• Fluoride contains antimicrobial properties
• These properties result from Fluoride
becoming a weak acid when it becomes HF
(Marquis RE, 1995).
• Fluoride becomes HF outside of the cell,
which then it is able to diffuse across the
cytoplasm ,dissociates into F- (Marquis RE,
1995).
• Fluoride can also interfere with cytoplasmic
activity due to its weak acidic properties.
Fig.1 Shows the proportion of [F] and [Hf] needed to induce
damage to glycolysis events (Marquis RE, 1995).
MECHANISM OF ACTION #2 FLUORIDE
ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES (CONT.)
•The main course of action is through affecting bacterial metabolism and interfering
with critical pathways (Nouri et. al , 2003).
•It can act as an enzyme inhibitor by inhibiting proton-translocation F-ATPases, due to
interfering with the cell attempting to maintain its intracellular pH (Marquis RE, 1995).
•Similarly, fluoride also interfered with other ATPases, such as those that aid in proton
and cation transport.
•Fluoride can also interfere with glycolysis and the importation of glucose.(Nouri et. al
, 2003)
•The interference with glycolysis causes a build-up of intermediate compounds of
glycolysis, which ends up interfering with the importation of glucose.
•Fluoride can also inhibit some peroxidase activity which causes a build up of H2O2 in
the cell and cause oxidative damage (Marquis, RE 1995).
MECHANISM OF ACTION #3
FLUORIDE AND THE BODY
• According to the Shin’s article Fluoride Toxicity there are several mechanisms
of toxicity explained in the pathophysiology section (Shin, 2014).
• Multiple organs can be affected by fluoride. The first of course is the
gastrointestinal tract due to fluoride being changed into hydrofluoric acid in the
stomach.
• “Once absorbed, fluoride binds calcium ions and may lead to
hypocalcemia. Fluoride also has direct cytotoxic effects and interferes with
a number of enzyme systems: it disrupts oxidative phosphorylation,
glycolysis, coagulation, and neurotransmission.”
• “Severe fluoride toxicity will result in multi-organ failure. Central vasomotor
depression, as well as direct cardiotoxicity, also may occur. Death usually
results from respiratory paralysis, dysrhythmia, or cardiac failure” (Shin
2014).
MECHANISM OF ACTION
#3 (CONTINUED)
• Not only may hypocalcemia occur but
hyperkalemia can occur secondary to
extracellular release of potassium.
• Fluoride inhibits the sodium-potassium
ATPase that allows for the excess potassium
to flow out.
•
Further more fluoride "inhibits
acetylcholinesterase, which may be partly
responsible for hyper salivation, vomiting,
and diarrhea (cholinergic signs). Seizures
may result from both hypomagnesemia and
hypocalcemia (Connet, 2012)."
MECHANISM OF ACTION #4
PINEAL GLAND
• Research in gerbils showed that high amounts of fluoride (H-F)
groups in the pituitary gland resulted in a decreased rate of
excretion of urinary aMTE6s secondary to fluoride affecting the
pineal glands ability to synthesize melatonin (and other
products like serotonin, etc) during the puberty stage of gerbils
(Luke, 1997).
• It is hypothesized that the slowed rate of urinary aMTE6s is
secondary to Fluoride directly affecting enzymatic conversion.
For example, the formation of melatonin from tryptophan.
• Other enzymes presumed to be affected by fluoride are
mitochondrial (ie. tryptophan-5-hydrolase) and pinealocyte
enzymes.
• For unknown reasoning, pineal calcification starts
intracellularly. A possible mechanism may be an increase of
calcium demonstrated in pinealocyte mitochondria.
• Interestingly more research is being done where pineal gland
calcification is starting to be linked to Alzheimer's and some
cancers (Luke, 1997).
RESULTS: FLUORIDE AND TEETH
• Bacteria exist on the surface of teeth and create a layer of plaque. Not only do bacteria
produce plaque, but some bacteria can also produce acids that break down tooth enamel
and lead to carious lesions.
• Fluoride however, helps to reduce the amount of caries in teeth and may reverse or stop
current lesions. There are four mechanisms in which this can occur.
• One method is through the prevention and reversal of tooth demineralization.
• Another method is to help remineralize the enamel of the tooth by positively impacting the
addition of calcium and phosphate ions into the enamel (Lewis & Milgrom 2003).
• A third method helps to inhibit the acid producing bacteria. Most of the inhibition of acid
production from the bacteria occurs in vitro.
• However, too much fluoride can result in fluorosis, or discoloration of the teeth. Younger
children are more susceptible to fluorosis.
RESULTS: FLUORIDE AND TEETH (CONTINUED)
• Although toxic to the human body, fluoride still is necessary for humans to survive; it is mainly
needed for teeth. Given this, fluoride has both benefits and risks when it comes to exposure.
• There has been some evidence from The Task Force on Community Preventive Services
that shows a reduction of tooth decay in children by 50% in populations that are known to
consume fluoridated water (Lewis & Milgrom 2003).
• Furthermore, it has been shown that fluoride can decrease the risk of coronal and root caries
in adults by 30%.
• Another benefit from fluorine has to do with the economical aspect of it. According to the
CDC, it cost 50 cents to fluoridate the water for a single person, but that the savings could be
up to $38 dollars. This, in the long run, can have up to $39 billion dollars in dental treatments
for the US population (Lewis & Milgrom 2003). This does not mean that there are no risks.
RESULTS: FLUORIDE AND TEETH (CONTINUED)
• Risks from the overexposure to fluoride ranges from dental to physical
diseases. Although the usage of fluoride can help with the decaying of
teeth, it can also do the opposite.
• Due to enamel abnormalities, fluorine can increase the risk of the
development of fluorosis. Fluorosis is a bone disease resulting from the
damage of the enamel.
• The degree of fluorosis depends on many factors including dosage and
duration of exposure. It mainly affects toddlers and infants, but it is not a
concern during the primary dentition development (due because fluorine
does not cross the utero easily)(Lewis & Milgrom 2003). This risk can
occur with only 0.44mg of fluoride consumption.
FLUOROSIS
RESULTS: FLUORIDE TOXICITY
• As of 2011, there were over 22,000 cases of fluoride toxicity reported to the
American Association of Poison Control Centers across the nation (Shin,
2014).
• From these exposures, only 1096 cases were due to contamination from
another source other than from toothpaste. However there were no deaths in
2011 (Shin 2014).
• Fluoride toxicity symptoms can start showing up with intake as low as 3 to 5
mg/kg
• Death can occur as early as after the intake of 2g of fluoride. Furthermore, the
calculated lethal dose for fluoride has been found to be 32-64 mg/kg (Shin
2014).
RESULTS: FLUORIDE AND THE BRAIN
• Fluoride also impacts the brain and is comparative to other metals such as lead and mercury (Dwyer,
2012). A study showed that there were decrease in IQ in children between 8-13 years old in China due to
too much intake of fluoride (Huff, 2010).
• In another study, the sample size was ~8,000 school aged children. Average IQ loss had a mean of 0.45
which was about 7 points of IQ.
• Studies have been conducted on animals to see the effects of fluoride on the brain. Most of the adverse
effects are displayed in the brain. There are numerous accounts of neuronal damage and protein
production and expression (Connet 2012). Results also showed that fluoride directly effects the pineal
glands ability to efficiently excrete hormones, especially during the puberty stages of animals tested
(Luke, 1997).
• Another result that showed up in various studies was that there was alterations in neurotransmitter
activity. Fluoride also has effects on oxidative processes, perhaps due to its reactivity, and also reduces
antioxidant levels in response to these oxidative processes (Connet 2012).
DISCUSSION
• Based off the results from Lewis and Milgrom (2003) we can see that over the decades
fluoride use has improved the health of our teeth. Going off more of the results we found
through our research there is an indication that fluoride is causing possible brain damage in
other species, like animals, and impacting neurological development in children.
• We also have the result of Fluoride toxicity, when too high a dosage has been consumed. Lets
think about what can be toxic to us, everything right. Things are great in moderation but too
much of one thing, or too high a dose, can be toxic. Fluoride is beneficial and can be very
toxic.
• Over the decades the use of fluoride has indeed improved dental care, it is in nearly all
toothpastes and put in our water sources. Now with that said too much of it can be leading to
severe complications such as neurological effects of multi-organ shut down.
SUMMARY & CONCLUSION
• In summary fluoride is good for our teeth with its mechanisms of action that
inhibit bacteria from forming caries in out teeth. Also, fluoride does impact
neurological development in children, damages the brain in other species,
and can lead to multiple organ failure.
• The main knowledge we hope you gain from this is there are risks and
benefits. Again, everything can be toxic depending on the dosage. Like
medicine, there is still a lot more work to be done in the area of deciding
appropriate dosing and how to minimize the associated risks in order to reap
full benefits. Hopefully future studies will recognize what works for one
species may not for another, for example on dosing due to different bodily
mechanisms of action. Maybe in the future the perfect calculation based off
of physical, mental, environmental, etc. will be able to specify specific doses
tailed to ear individual. No free lunch.
INTERESTING THEORIES
• The pineal gland has been called the"
third eye" or the "seat of the soul". It has
been found been found in Egyptian
symbols, where people recognized the
pineal gland to resemble an eye?!
• There has been a movement of removing
fluoride from the body and using unfluorinated toothpastes and such.
• Conspiracy theories say it is an attempts to
limit population size and gain control of
"The People".
•
(Bancarz, 2014)
REFERENCES
Bancarz, S. (2014, January 18). Proof That The Pineal Gland Is Literally A 3rd Eye. Retrieved April 20, 2015, from
http://www.spiritscienceandmetaphysics.com/proof-that-the-pineal-gland-is-a-3rd-eye/
Connet, M. (2012, August 30). Fluoride's direct effect on brain: Animal studies. Retrieved March 23, 2015, from
http://fluoridealert.org/studies/brain04/
Dwyer, M. (2012, July 25). Impact of fluoride on neurological development in children. Retrieved March 23, 2015, from
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/features/fluoride-childrens-health-grandjean-choi/
Huff, E. (2010, December 23). Study: Fluoridated water causes brain damage in children. Retrieved March 23, 2015, from
http://www.naturalnews.com/030819_fluoride_brain_damage.html
Lewis, C., & Milgrom, P. (2003). Fluoride. Pediatrics in Review, 24(10), 327-336. Retrieved March 23, 2015, from
http://pedsinreview.aappublications.org/content/24/10/327.full
Liu, H., Hung, H., Hsiao, S., Chen, H., Yen, Y., Huang, S., ... Lu, Y. (2013). Impact of 24-month fluoride tablet program on children with disabilities in
a non-fluoridated country. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 34(9), 2598-2605. Retrieved March 24, 2015, from
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S089142221300190X
REFERENCES
Luke J. (1997). The Effect of Fluoride on the Physiology of the Pineal Gland. Ph.D. Thesis. University of
Surrey, Guildford. p. 172-173.
Marquis, Rober E (1995) Antimicrobial Actions of Fluoride For Oral Bacteria, Can J Microbiol , 41.11
(1995) pg 955-964. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
Nouri R M, Titley K C. ( 2003, January 1 ) Paediatrics: A Review of the Antibacterial Effect of Fluoride.
Retrieved April 22, 2015 from http://www.oralhealthgroup.com/news/paediatrics-a-review-of-theantibacterial-effect-of-fluoride/1000118049/?&er=NA
Shin, R. (2014, January 21). Fluoride Toxicity . Retrieved March 24, 2015, from
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/814774-overview\