The action of fluoride in teeth and bone.

The beneficial effect of fluoride to tooth enamel and its potentially harmful effect on bone, may be explained by simple and similar mechanisms. In individuals whose skeletal tissues contain higher than normal levels of fluoride there is a possibility that during resorptive and remodeling processes, bone (and bone marrow) cells may be exposed to genotoxic and lethal levels of fluoride. The success of fluoride as a preventive against dental caries does not mean that unnecessary exposure to the element should be tolerated. Total daily fluoride intake from a multiplicity of possible everyday sources should be monitored; and the assumption that sodium fluoride is safe to use as an anti-caries agent, particularly for expectant mothers and children, should be reviewed.