Is fluoride poisonous?
There is no doubt that extreme overdoses of fluoride are harmful to the human body – but this holds true for other chemical substances, as well. It's because fluoride can be found in so many things that enter our body every day, either intentionally or unintentionally – water, food, and the like – that many consumers are afraid that they will cross the line to an 'overdose' of fluoride if they use toothpastes that contain the chemical.
However, experts believe it is practically impossible to develop a true case of fluoride poisoning as a result of using certain toothpastes. For example, a 1-year-old child of average weight would need to ingest approximately 53 ml of toothpaste. That amount is much higher for adults; it's essentially impossible for an adult to contract fluoride poisoning through the consumption of toothpaste.
Where does fluoride come from?
The sodium fluoride used in lavera Naturkosmetik's products is a fine, white powder that is odourless and mild on the skin and mucous membranes.
In nature, fluoride is only found in combination with other substances. It makes up approximately 0.065% of the 16-kilometre top layer of Earth's crust. Fluoride can also be found in many types of igneous rock. The most important fluoride mineral is calcium fluoride. Additionally, fluoride can be found in a number of different types of rock, including cryolite, apatite, topaz, mica, and many more.
Traces of fluoride compounds can also be found in many organisms. Tea, asparagus, and fish have a very high fluoride content. Foods containing fluoride include table salt, drinking water, and milk.