Fluoride Allergy and 4 Fluoride Alternatives

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Chances are, you never thought you’d hear some say they have an allergy to fluoride! Flouride allergy is not as common as many other allergies out there; some sufferers display fluoride intolerance, whereas others show an allergic reaction to fluoride. Anyone can be allergic or become sensitized to anything at any given time. Some people are allergic to foods such as peanuts and seafood, but others are allergic to alloys and chemicals to iPhones and the nickel in jewelry.

What is fluoride

Fluoride isn’t only found in toothpaste and dental products. It is a naturally occurring mineral that naturally exists in most water sources like oceans, rivers, and lakes.

Do I have fluoride allergy

Fluoride allergy is an allergy that should be given much attention, as little is known about it. Approximately 1% of the population is allergic to fluoride, which means that 3 million Americans receive medical care each year because of fluoride sensitivity.
Extensive exposure to fluoride can be very harmful, and in some cases, life-threatening; high enough levels of fluoride can be considered neurotoxins and can cause permanent damage to the brain. However, fluoride can be found in many things that interact with us every day, especially in water and toothpaste.

Sources of fluoride

Anybody that has fluoride allergy should stay away from items listed below.

Dental products

This is the number one source of fluoride in most people. Many dental products now contain fluoride, including more than 95% of toothpaste. Studies have shown that a large number of children consume an excessive amount of fluoride from toothpaste, which exceeds the recommended total daily intake.

Processed beverages and food

A high percentage of many consumable water sources are treated with fluoride; therefore, exposure to fluorinated drinking water is almost unavoidable. This is because once a large amount of fluoride is added to water, the fluorinated water will make its way into nearly all processed beverages and foods. In the United States, studies have shown that soda, juice, sports drinks, beer, and many other processed foods (including baby food) are now high in fluoride.

Pesticides

Due to its toxicity, fluoride is used in certain pesticides to wade off and kill insects and other pests. Due to the use of fluoride pesticides, certain foods, especially grape products, dried fruits, beans, cocoa powder, and walnuts, have a high fluorine content.

Tea drinks

Tea plants absorb fluoride in the soil. As a result, the content of fluoride in tea (especially old tea) is high. The average fluorine content of brewed black tea is about 3 to 4 ppm, while commercial iced tea drinks contain 1 to 4 ppm. Because of these elevated levels, many studies have linked excessive tea intake to bone disease (skeletal fluorosis) caused by excessive fluoride intake.

Fluorinated medications

Many drugs are fluorinated, which means they contain fluorocarbon bonds. fluorine. “Although the fluorocarbon bonds in most drugs are strong enough to resist decomposition into fluoride in the body, this is not always the case, because studies have found that certain fluorinated drugs (including ciprofloxacin) do fluoride, so it may be fluoride. Some people are the primary source of fluoride exposure.

Mechanical bone removal

Foods made from mechanically separated meat (such as chicken fingers, chicken nuggets, etc.) due to bone particle contamination during mechanical bone removal processing lead to increased fluoride content. Mechanically processed chicken has the highest content, with an average chicken strip content of 3.6 ppm.

Teflon pot

Cooking food or boiling water in a Teflon pot may increase the fluoride content in the food. In a study, it was found that boiling water in a Teflon pot can add two ppm of fluoride to the water in only 15 minutes, resulting in a final concentration of 3 ppm. Read more (Full & Parkins, 1975).

Workplace exposure

Fluoride is a common air pollutant in industrial workplaces. As a result, many heavy industry workers (including aluminum, fertilizer, iron, oil refining, semiconductor, and steel industries) are often exposed to high levels of fluoride exposure. In addition to being a significant risk factor for respiratory diseases; Fluoride in the air may be a significant daily intake of fluoride.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction to fluoride

Fluoride protects our teeth and gums from plaque that causes not only bad breath but also spreads harmful bacterias, and it also protects us from several dental ailments. However, you may have an allergic reaction to fluoride after coming in contact with it.

Unlike typical food allergy symptoms, almost no swelling occurs during the onset of fluoride allergy. Instead, allergic patients present a more severe fluoride allergy symptoms like stomach cramps and limb weakness, particularly, weakness of the limbs of the arms and legs.

Sudden pain during defecation will be present as well as flatuency (or gassy feeling). Apart from that, an allergic patient may also feel extreme thirst, which leads to frequent trips to the bathroom for urination.

There are other troublesome internal symptoms, such as internal bleeding(hemorrhage), lack of energy, migraine headache, and even the feeling of confusion.

If you are exposed to these substances for the first time, please see if there are too many fluorides around you, or for some reason, your body is intolerant to fluoride.

• There are cuts or wounds in the mouth.
• Mild to severe headache.
• Muscle or joint weakness.
• Pain in joints and muscles.
• Nausea or upset stomach.
• Feeling tired or mentally weak.
• Blurred or unclear vision.
• Swollen mouth, tongue, or face.
• Vomiting.

In some extreme fluoride allergies episodes, an allergic individual may suffer from anaphylactic shock, which is a condition that causes the body to shut down.

Treatment for fluoride allergy

When a fluoride sensitive individual flares up with an allergic reaction, over-the-counter antihistamines are usually prescribed and may take 10 to 15 minutes to take effect. 

Avoid certain foods and drinks as they may contain an extra amount of fluoride.

Foods to avoid if you have fluoride allergy includes the following:

• soft drinks
• bottled juices
• processed grains
• chicken
• fish
• tap water

It’s highly recommended to avoid the above-listed items as they may contain large amounts of fluoride, or they may cause you to react. Avoid drinking tap water because tap water is rich in fluoride; instead, drink bottled water or natural spring water as an alternative.

There has been a lot of debate about whether fluoride is more harmful than useful or vice versa. 

Recent research shows that many people have allergic reactions to fluoride. Following a display Atopic dermatitis, exfoliative dermatitis, stomatitis, urticaria, gastro-intestinal and respiratory allergy symptoms in various degrees.

Allergies are widespread. When most people hear or talk about allergies, they often first think of allergies to food, animals, and outdoor environmental factors.

What many people may not know is that many allergens can cause allergic reactions to people (for example, metals such as nickel can cause nickel allergies). At any given time, regardless of the age and health of the person, people may suddenly become allergic.

Flouride allergy alternatives – Flouride alternative

Fluoride in toothpaste is one of many allergens that can trigger an allergic reaction at any given time. When this allergy occurs, you need to take extra steps to keep your teeth healthy.

What do you do when you’re allergic to fluoride?

Choose fluoride-free toothpaste

If you are allergic to fluoride, you need to choose a toothpaste that does not contain this additive. 

Non-fluorinated toothpaste (or fluoride-free toothpaste) and mouthwash can be used in place. Fluoride-free toothpaste is becoming more widespread, and some individuals without fluoride allergy even prefer to use these toothpastes. Make sure to brush at least twice a day.

Maintain healthy enamel

Without the help of fluoride, you will especially need to pay closer attention to taking extra steps in maintaining a healthy enamel. To maintain an oral alkaline PH level, avoid consuming acidic foods and beverages; this would ensure your mouth’s PH level doesn’t become too acidic. In this way, you can reduce the chance of tooth enamel erosion.

Reduce oral bacteria levels

Bacteria in the mouth are bad news for your teeth because the acid they produce erodes the enamel. To control the level of oral bacteria, experts recommend gargling with green tea or water and regularly. The Xylitol, which can be found in many sugar-free chewing gums, has antibacterial properties that are also useful in keeping your mouth clean and healthy and enamel erosion free.

Nutritional supplements

Calcium and vitamin D supplements can also help keep your teeth healthy in the absence of fluoride, or the case of patients with fluoride allergies. Calcium can be absorbed from eating many dairy products, while the sun provides an excellent source of vitamin D. 

However, if you feel like you do not have enough sun exposure or high calcium foods in your diet, it may be a good idea to look into buying some vitamin D and C supplements from a local pharmacy.

If you are allergic to fluoride, regular dental examinations are especially essential to maintain oral health.