Sodium Fluoride

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Also indexed as:

Fluorigard, Fluorinse, Fluoritab, Fluorodex, Flura-Drops, Flura-Tab, Karidium, Luride, Pediaflor, PreviDent

Sodium fluoride is used to prevent dental cavities and might be effective in the treatment of osteoporosis.

Herbs

Summary of Interactions for Sodium Fluoride

Depletion or interference	Zinc
Adverse interaction	None known
Side effect reduction/prevention	None known
Supportive interaction	Vitamin D Vitamin E
Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability	None known
Other (see text)	Calcium

An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.

Interactions with Supplements

Calcium

Research shows that calcium from leg bones may be transferred to bones in the spine causing stress fractures when fluoride is taken alone. However, supplementing with 1,500 mg of calcium each day together with slow-release forms of fluoride increases the bone density of the lumbar spine without causing fractures.¹ Therefore, people taking sodium fluoride to treat osteoporosis should probably supplement with calcium to prevent this adverse effect. However, taking fluoride and calcium at the same time significantly reduces the absorption of fluoride;² consequently, they should be taken at least an hour apart.

Vitamin D

Collagen is a protein that is used in many areas of the body for structural support. One test tube study showed that the active form of vitamin D, 1,25 dihydroxycholecalciferol, increased the production of a certain type of collagen when it was combined with fluoride.³ Controlled research is needed to determine whether taking 1,25 dihydroxycholecalciferol with sodium fluoride might promote beneficial collagen growth.

Zinc

Individuals who are bedridden for long periods may become deficient in zinc, which can affect the strength of bone that is formed. In a controlled study of healthy adults who were confined to bed, fluoride supplementation prevented zinc loss from the body.⁴ Bedridden individuals should consult a qualified healthcare practitioner for guidance in using fluoride to prevent zinc deficiency.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E increases the resistance of tooth enamel to acids that cause cavities, and test tube studies show that fluoride, when added to vitamin E, enhances this effect.⁵ Controlled research is needed to determine whether people might develop fewer cavities when taking vitamin E and fluoride together.

Other Interactions

Food

Taking sodium fluoride with food⁶ or dairy products⁷ reduces the absorption of the mineral. Therefore, sodium fluoride should be taken an hour before or two hours after a meal, or any snack containing milk, ice cream, yogurt, or cheese.

Tea

Many compounds in tea, such as tannin, catechin, and caffeine, can increase the resistance of tooth enamel to acids that cause cavities, and test tube studies show that fluoride, when added to these compounds, enhances this effect.⁸ Controlled research is needed to determine whether drinking tea might further reduce the number of cavities in people taking fluoride.

References

1. Deal CL. Osteoporosis: prevention, diagnosis, and management. Am J Med 1997;102:35s-9s.
2. Ekstrand J, Spak CJ. Fluoride pharmacokinetics: its implication in the fluoride treatment of osteoporosis. J Bone Miner Res 1990;5 Suppl 1:s53-61.
3. Kassem M, Mosekilde L, Eriksen EF. 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 potentiates fluoride-stimulated collagen Type I production in cultures of human bone marrow stromal osteoblast-like cells. J Bone Miner Res 1993;8:1453-8.
4. Krebs JM, Schneider VS, LeBlanc AD. Zinc, copper and nitrogen balance during bed rest and fluoride supplementation in healthy adult males. Am J Clin Nutr 1998;47:509-14.
5. Yu H, Oho T, Xu LX. Effects of several tea components on acid resistance of human tooth enamel. J Dent 1995;23:101-5.
6. Ekstrand J, Spak CJ. Fluoride pharmacokinetics: its implication in the fluoride treatment of osteoporosis. J Bone Miner Res 1990;5 Suppl 1:s53-61.
7. Ekstrand J, Ehrnebo M. Influence of milk products on fluoride bioavailability in man. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1979;16:211-5.
8. Yu H, Oho T, Xu LX. Effects of several tea components on acid resistance of human tooth enamel. J Dent 1995;23:101-5.

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Last Review: 01-21-2009

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The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires February 2010.

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