RELATED: If You Notice This in Your Mouth, It Could Be the Sign of a Heart Attack. According to the World Health Association (WHO), high-level exposure to fluoride—an ionized form of fluorine, a naturally-occurring element, which is commonly added to municipal tap water—can lead to immediate side effects including seizures, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. However, what’s going on in your mouth may tip you off to a problem before a more dire outcome occurs. The WHO reports that exposure to high amounts of fluoride also commonly causes excessive salivation, which can clue you in about an emerging problem. If you notice this symptom, talk to a medical professional. For the latest health and safety news delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter! While some fluoride can help prevent against cavities, too much can have ill effects on your teeth. In addition to causing excessive salivation, excessive fluoride exposure can cause fluorosis, a condition that causes staining and pitting on teeth.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that you are only likely to develop fluorosis until the age of eight, the lingering effects of the condition can persist well into adulthood. It’s not your teeth alone that can be affected by fluorosis, however. According to the WHO, long-term ingestion of an excessive among of fluoride can lead to skeletal fluorosis, which can lead to joint pain and stiffness. In some rare cases, skeletal fluorosis may even lead to abnormal tissue growth and calcification; a 2015 case study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology documented a case of skeletal fluorosis leading to “hard, fixed masses” on the arms and legs of a 72-year-old man due to fluoride toxicity. While using too much fluoride toothpaste or taking excessive amounts of fluoride supplements could potentially increase your risk of fluoride toxicity, the most common source of excessive fluoride consumption is water. Though municipal drinking water typically contains low levels of fluoride, the WHO explains that acute exposure to high levels of fluoride is typically accidental, and is frequently the result of contamination after fires or explosions. If you’re worried that you may be getting too much fluoride or have experienced fluorosis in the past, contact a medical professional to see how you can limit your risk of future health issues, including seizures. RELATED: If You Notice This in Your Mouth, Your Dementia Risk Is Higher, Research Shows.
