Can sodium fluoride be harmful?

Sodium fluoride can be harmful if you take excessive amounts of it, but it is unlikely to cause any serious health problem when taken in recommended doses. The most common adverse effect of consuming too much sodium fluoride is dental fluorosis, a cosmetic problem that causes white and/or brown staining of teeth. Dental fluorosis is a risk only while the permanent teeth are developing -- once a child's permanent teeth have erupted, dental fluorosis will not occur.

Yes. You can overdose by swallowing a large amount of sodium fluoride. Few people have side effects or health problems when using sodium fluoride. Still, some medications may interact with this product. If you have allergies, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are taking any drugs, herbs or supplements, talk to your doctor before using sodium fluoride.

Do not take any supplements containing magnesium, calcium or aluminum for several hours after taking sodium fluoride. Call 911 if you accidentally take too much of this product and have diarrhea, muscle weakness or stiffness, stomach pain, breathing problems, nausea or heart problems, or if you suspect an allergic reaction.

Sodium fluoride can be harmful if you take too much. If sodium fluoride is given in excess to children under age 8, it can result in fluorosis, a condition that causes white spots or even pitted areas and brown stains on permanent teeth.

Some people are concerned that fluoride can cause cancer and other health problems, but research has failed to support those worries. Long-term consumption of high levels of fluoride can cause problems, though. This generally occurs in areas where the water naturally has high fluoride levels. People in such regions can develop a condition called skeletal fluorosis, in which fluoride accumulates in the bones, causing stiffness, joint pain and other problems. You can find out how much fluoride is in your water by checking with your local water department or by going online. (If you get your water from a private well, you may have to have it tested yourself.)

Sodium fluoride is a naturally-occurring chemical compound which is added to toothpaste and sometimes to community water supplies. Countless scientific studies have shown fluoride to be very safe and effective at helping to prevent tooth decay (cavities). 

Too much fluoride in very young children (whose teeth are still developing) can lead to subtle mottling or staining of tooth enamel. To reduce this risk, parents should not use fluoridated toothpaste until they are sure that their children can spit out toothpaste after brushing instead of swallowing it. For children old enough to spit after brushing, use only a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste.

By preventing cavities, it helps reduce the incidence of one of the most common diseases in children and reduces the pain associated with untreated cavities and the cost of treating them. The U.S. Public Health Service, through its Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, called community water fluoridation one of the 10 most important public health measures of the 20th Century.