Image Source: Ann Cheng Sodium Fluoride. Taken April
9, 2014
Sodium fluoride is a chemical that is found in our toothpaste,
water, preservatives and pesticides1. The chemical may be commonly
seen as Na-F. Na represents sodium, and F represents fluoride. Sodium fluoride
is not as safe as it may seem. If a human swallows or inhales sodium fluoride,
it can be poisonous to their health2. The chemical can cause skin
and eye irritation2. It can also make a human vomit, become nauseated
and create an upset stomach2. Sometimes the chemical can produce
worse effects. If a human is exposed to sodium fluoride for a long time, the
individual can become anaemic or suffer from brittle bones3.
The most common
place sodium fluoride is found in within our toothpaste and mouth washes. The
chemical works to prevent cavities by fighting bacteria4. Some
people find is scary that a chemical that can make you sick is an active
ingredient in our toothpaste. If you’re scared of using toothpaste that
contains sodium fluoride, there are fluoride free toothpastes that you can use
as an alternative5.
Another place
that sodium fluoride is found is within pesticides and preservatives1.
The chemical is known to be a great ingredient that can kill unwanted bugs and
rodents1. Sodium fluoride is also keeps glue and pastes from going
bad as it acts as a preservative1.
Sodium fluoride
can be also found in water naturally or as an additive6. The
chemical is added in safe levels to water in order prevent tooth decay6.
Recently many people feared that the negative effects of sodium fluoride
outweighed the benefits. The fear created a motion in Calgary to remove the
chemical from its drinking water7.
I personally
think that sodium fluoride is harmless in safe levels. I also think people are
too quick to criticize before knowing all the facts. Sodium fluoride has been
used for more than a century. Why are we suddenly fearing it now?
References
1. Considine,
G. D. (2005). Van Nostrand’s Encyclopedia of Chemistry 5th Edition.
John Wiley & Sons Inc. Hoboken, New Jersey. pgs. 1490-1491.
2. Crystran
(2006). Safety Data Sheet- Sodium Fluoride. Retrieved Online March 6, 2014 from
www.crystran.co.uk/userfiles/files/sodium-fluoride-naf-msds.pdf.
3. Bell, R. D. (1936). British Medical Journal. Poisoning
By Sodium Fluoride. Retrieved Online March 6, 2014 from http://library.mtroyal.ca:2094/stable/25352490.
4. Field, S. Q. (2008). Antifreeze in your toothpaste.
Chicago Review Press. Chicago, Illinois. Pgs. 243-244.
5. Suring, E. (1998). Why is there Fluoride-Free
Toothpaste?. Retrieved Online March 7, 2014 fromhttp://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/oral-care/products/fluoride-free-toothpaste.htm.
6. Wikipedia (2014). Water Fluoridation. Retrieved
Online March 7, 2014 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_fluoridation.
7. CBC News (2011). Calgary Removing Fluoride From
Water Supply. Retrieved Online March 7, 2014 from http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-removing-fluoride-from-water-supply-1.1022279
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