A tragic story

While the following story is a tragic occurrence, it is important to note the extreme dangers of ingesting professional applications of fluoride. In 1974 , a dental hygienist performed a routine prophylaxis on a three year old boy. Upon completion a topical fluoride treatment of 4 percent stannous was administered with a cotton swab. According to testimony, the hygienist handed the child a cup of water, became engrossed in conversation with another employee, and failed to provide the young patient with instructions. The child swallowed the water. Before leaving the office he complained of headache, dizziness, nausea and stomach ache. He vomited soon afterward. The hygienist instructed the mother to see a doctor at a nearby pediatric clinic. Because of delays in administering treatment at the clinic and a hospital emergency room, the boy became comatose and died. A toxicologist later testified that the child had consumed three times the lethal dosage. 

Levels of toxicity for children range from 17-35 mg for the onset of symptoms. Lethal doses have been estimated between 550 -1100 mg. In contrast, an average of 1 mg fluoride is ingested with toothpaste. The amount of fluoride in the solutions for school mouth rinsing programs contains approximately 2-9 mg. 

In cases of mild poisoning the onset of symptoms is usually rapid and include excessive salivation, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. More severe cases are manifested by hyperactive reflexes and convulsions. In the most severe case of internal fluoride poisoning, death will occur within a few hours to 24 hours, usually the result of respitory or cardiac failure. If the patient has ingested a small amount, instruct him to drink a pint of milk to counteract the effects. For larger amounts, vomiting should be induced with syrup of ipecac, a teaspoon of mustard in salt water or by physical means. After vomiting has occurred, large amounts of aluminum or magnesium should be administered. Commercial preparations of aluminum and magnesium include Maalox or Milk of Magnesia. 

ACCUMULATION OF FLUORIDE RESULTING FROM FLUORIDE EXPOSURE 

FLUORIDE CONCENTRATIONS IN ORGANS OF PEOPLE 

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