Learn the benefits, how much to take, drug interactions and which foods contain fluoride.
Fluoride helps prevent cavities and reduce tooth decay, and helps strengthen bones.
How Much: Recommended dietary intake = 4 milligrams (mg) for men; 3 mg for women.
Too Much: Tolerable upper limit (UL) = 10 mg daily.
Too Little: Bone fractures and tooth decay.
Foods: Fluoridated water, tea, and canned salmon and sardines (with bones).
Interactions: Calcium supplements and calcium- and aluminum-containing antacids.
Research Note: Fluoride does not prevent osteoporosis. Fluoride presents safety concerns related to joint pain and stress fractures from taking extremely high doses.