It needs to be clearly stated that this Poison Control warning is not unique to Crest. It appears on ALL fluoride toothpaste. It just happened to be that Crest was the least expensive fluoride toothpaste at the store the day I purchased it for a copy of the warning.
Fluoride is a corrosive chemical more poisonous than lead, that was once sold as rat poison. Yet the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) encourages us to use it. (Why do they hate our children so much?) It is added to most toothpastes, as well as to more than 60 percent of U.S. water supplies annually.
Since the 1950s, fluoridation proponents have steadfastly maintained that the safety factor of water fluoridation (1 ppm) in relation to the acutely lethal dose is 2,250- to 4,500-fold in adults (represents 5 to 10 grams NaF), and about 250- to 500-fold in a child. In other words, the amount of sodium fluoride (NaF) required to result in acute poisoning causing fatality was 5 to 10 grams (NaF is 45% fluoride ion). This range for toxicity was provided by Harold C. Hodge, the same man who was responsible for erroneously reporting that it would take a daily fluoride intake of "20-80 mg" before skeletal fluorosis would occur in the average individual. Based on several occurrences of water fluoridation over-feeds and individual poisoning reports, It is now known that fluoride's "Probably Toxic Dose" which "should trigger therapeutic intervention and hospitilization -- is 5 mg/kg of bodyweight." This means that many dental products found at home contain more than enough fluoride to kill or seriously harm a small child if ingested.
The safety problem of this treatment has become increasingly important. Fluoride retention after fluoride mouth rinsing is considered to be 15% to 30% of the rinsing water (that is, ingested fluoride = fluoride in the rinsing water -- fluoride in the rinsing water spat out = fluoride swallowed + fluoride absorbed through the mucus membrane of the mouth). According to the toxic doses estimated in the cases of fluoride poisoning in the USA, this amount of fluoride retention is able to cause acute fluoride poisoning. However there appears to be no clear basis for estimating toxic doses of fluoride currently used.
Table 6 shows a 1991 report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers in the Rocky Mountains, Colorado, which included 87 children with fluoride poisoning from mistaken swallowing of fluoride-containing products during the year January 1 to December 31, 1986. Among the 87 cases, 85 were of mistaken ingestion of fluoride tablets, fluoride drops and fluoridated mouth-rinsing water in children 8 months to 6 years of age, the most common age being 2 to 3 years. One child of 8 and another of 9 developed symptoms after receiving a dental fluoride application and a fluoride mouth rinsing at a dental clinic. A 13-month-old child died from ingestion of a fluoride-containing pesticide.
Never attempt to induce vomiting. Do not attempt to give any solid or liquid by mouth if the exposed subject is unconscious or semi-conscious. Wash out the mouth with water. If the exposed subject is fully conscious, give plenty of water to drink. Obtain medical attention.
Inhalation:
Physical form suggests that risk of inhalation exposure is negligible. Skin Contact Using appropriate personal protective equipment, remove contaminated clothing and flush exposed area with large amounts of water. Obtain medical attention if skin reaction occurs, which may be immediate or delayed.
Eye Contact:
Wash immediately with clean and gently flowing water. Continue for at least 15 minutes. Obtain medical attention.
* Carcinogenicity:
Not expected to produce cancer in humans under occupational exposure conditions. Contains a material classified as a carcinogen by external agencies. (IARC) Animal carcinogen. Carcinogenic activity was seen in inhalation studies using laboratory animals. High concentrations or doses administered over an extended period of time were required to produce adverse effects.
Strong evidence of human neurotoxicity Human nervous system toxicant - moderate evidence One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at very low doses One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results
Produces excess reactive oxygen species that can interfere with cellular signaling, cause mutations, lead to cell death and may be implicated in cardiovascular disease. One or more animal studies show respiratory changes at very low doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood. Limited evidence of carcinogenicity Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife and humans One or more animal studies show immune effects at low doses Moderate human health concern based on exposure and toxicity One or more animal studies show respiratory effects at very low doses One or more animal studies show cardiovascular effects at very low doses One or more animal studies show significant but moderate pulmonary irritation at low doses
Warnings: Keep out of reach of children under 6 years of age. If you accidentally swallow more than used for brushing, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.
Here is the recommendation on the amount to be used from Dental Professional website....
Why shouldn't Aquafresh® Toothpaste be swallowed?
No toothpaste product is formulated for intentional swallowing. Although toothpaste products are formulated to be pleasant tasting, they are not confectionery items.
In early 1997, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required fluoride toothpaste manufacturers to place a specific warning on toothpaste packages. The purpose of this warning* is to convey the message that if large amounts of fluoride are swallowed, they can be harmful or fatal. It is important to keep in mind that the amount of fluoride contained in toothpaste will not cause harm if an average amount is used and if the toothpaste is not swallowed. (An average amount would be the amount used to cover bristles, or less). It is also important to remember that fluoride is critical in the maintenance of healthy teeth, and is recommended by doctors and dentists for use in the form of toothpastes, fluoridated water and fluoride drops.
*Current as of early 1997: "Warnings: If you accidentally swallow more than used for brushing, seek professional assistance or contact a poison control center immediately."
How many parents supervise how much toothpaste their children use?
How many kids use a "pea sized" or less amount?
Especially when its "bubble mint" or "bubble gum", flavored?
New Barbie® BURSTIN' bubblegum Got a Barbie girl? Make brushing fun with Crest Barbie BURSTIN' Bubblegum Toothpaste. Your kid will love the sparkling gel that has a kid-tested bubblegum flavor they will truly enjoy.
New cinnsational SWIRL You won't have to tell them twice. Kids will rush to brush with new Crest Wild Expressions Toothpaste flavor cinnsational SWIRL. Kids helped create this flavor so you know it's just to their taste. They'll want to brush longer and more often.
If they only wanted you to use a small amount why would they sweeten it with sodium saccharin?
Use of sodium saccharin is common in all major brands of toothpaste to make the products more palatable. Without the use of such a sweetener, toothpaste would not be appealing enough taste-wise and could result in the avoidance of brushing one's teeth and the benefits of brushing. The formulations of Aquafresh® are accepted by the FDA, and have been tested by consumers.
Saccharin has been around for over 100 years and claims to be the best researched sweetener. Saccharin is also known as Sweet and Low, Sweet Twin, Sweet'N Low, and Necta Sweet. It does not contain any calories, does not raise blood sugar levels and is 200 to 700 times sweeter than sucrose (table sugar).
What they don't declare is how much sodium saccharin is in the toothpaste....it tastes like candy to me....
Sodium fluoride is classed as toxic by both inhalation (of dusts or aerosols) and ingestion.[8] In high enough doses, it has been shown to affect the heart and circulatory system, and the lethal dose for a 70 kg human is estimated at 5–10 g.[5]
Fluoride-containing compounds are so diverse that it is not possible to generalize on their toxicity, which depends on their reactivity and structure, and in the case of salts, their solubility and ability to release fluoride ions.
Soluble fluoride salts, of which NaF is the most common, are mildly toxic but have resulted in both accidental and suicidal deaths from acute poisoning.[6] While the minimum fatal dose in humans is not known, a case of a fatal poisoning of an adult with 4 grams of NaF is documented.[20] Sodium fluorosilicate, Na2SiF6 with its higher fluorine content, can cause death with as little as 0.2 g.[citation needed] The fatal period ranges from 5 min to 12 hours.[20] The mechanism of toxicity involves the combination of the fluoride anion with the calcium ions in the blood to form insoluble calcium fluoride, resulting in hypocalcemia; calcium is indispensable for the function of the nervous system, and the condition can be fatal. Treatment may involve oral administration of dilute calcium hydroxide or calcium chloride to prevent further absorption, and injection of calcium gluconate to increase the calcium levels in the blood.[20] Hydrogen fluoride is more dangerous than salts such as NaF because it is corrosive and volatile, and can result in fatal exposure through inhalation or contact with the skin; calcium gluconate gel is the usual antidote.[21]
A few organofluorine compounds are extremely toxic, such as organophosphates like sarin and diisopropylfluorophosphate that react with the cholinesterase enzyme at neuromuscular junctions and thus block the transmission of nerve impulses to the muscles.[22] Here, a reactive fluorine-phosphorus bond in the inhibitor is the site of nucleophilic attack by a serine residue in the enzyme's active site, causing the loss of a F− ion and alkylation and inactivation of the enzyme.
While PTFE itself is chemically inert and non-toxic, it begins to deteriorate near or above 500 °F (260 °C), and decompose completely at temperatures above 660 °F (350 °C).[23] These degradation products can be lethal to birds, and can cause flu-like symptoms in humans.[23] In comparison, cooking fats, oils, and butter will begin to scorch and smoke at about 392 °F (200 °C), and meat is usually fried between 400–450 °F (200–230 °C), but empty cookware can exceed this temperature if left unattended on a hot burner.
A 1959 study, (conducted before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the material for use in food processing equipment) showed that the toxicity of fumes given off by the coated pan on dry heating was less than that of fumes given off by ordinary cooking oils.[24]
Here is an example of some destructive ingredients found in many name-brand toothpastes.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): Foaming agent with many side effects
One of the most harmful ingredients in personal-care products is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). Because SLS has a foaming property, it is added to toothpastes in order to generate foam and give the impression that the toothpaste is working. However, SLS has been found to be quite corrosive and harmful to skin tissue. The journal of the American College of Toxicology reports that SLS can penetrate and be retained in the eye, brain, heart, and liver with harmful long term side effects.
In the cleaning industry, SLS is used in products such as garage floor cleaners, engine degreasers and car wash soaps!
In allergy studies, SLS is used for clinical testing as a primary skin irritant as it is the one chemical known to provoke an allergic reaction in everyone. Molecular weight of SLS is 40 (Ingredients with a molecular weight of 75 or lower enters our blood stream). SLS and its derivative family of chemicals are used in biotech engineering to carry other chemicals through the skin.
Sodium Fluoride: from industrial waste to rat poison to mind meddler
Most toothpaste and mouth rinses contain fluoride because that's what dentists have recommended for years to prevent cavities. But more and more scientists are now seriously questioning the benefits of fluoride even in small amounts. Colgate toothpaste contains enough fluoride in four ounces to kill a small child within 2 to 4 hours!
Fluorides have been used throughout history to alter the behavior and mood of human beings. It is a little known fact that fluoride compounds were added to the drinking water of prisoners to keep them quiet and to hamper noncompliance with authority, both in Nazi prison camps during World War II and in the Soviet gulags in Siberia.
Fluoride is proselytized by the dental profession because it is widely believed that fluoride lodged in the tooth makes it slightly more acid-resistant and less prone to decay. What is not widely known is that fluoride lodged in bones and teeth makes them more brittle.
No matter how well you rinse, the combination of sodium laureth sulphate and fluoride ensures that more fluoride is absorbed into your bloodstream than gets to soak into your teeth.
Triclosan: A pesticide found in many types of toothpaste
Triclosan, a chemical used by mainstream toothpaste manufacturers for its antibacterial properties. It is an ingredient found in many detergents and most toothpastes. However, the formulation and structure of this ingredient are similar to some of the most toxic chemicals. It is a proven fact that with correct diet and hygiene all dental disease is banished. Applying antibacterial agents kills the good and bad bacteria alike, and can lead to imbalances in the bacterial ecologies of the whole digestive tract. Because of this fact, triclosan has been scrutinized in regards to human health and safety, according to Tufts University School of Medicine. While the companies that manufacture products containing triclosan claim that it is safe, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has registered it as a dangerous pesticide.
Copolymer: A glue used in hair gel and paint
Most toothpastes now contain acrylic copolymers to glue the triclosan and fluoride to the teeth in the belief that this increases their benefits. When in fact it increases the side effects of those chemicals. Acrylic polymers are also potential carcinogens.
Hydrated Silica: A whitener that wears away tooth enamel
Hydrated silica, which is primarily used as an abrasive in toothpaste, is made from a crystallized compound found in quartz, sand, and flint. Tooth enamel re-mineralizes daily from the supply of ionic calcium and phosphorus in the saliva. Wearing away the surface of the tooth with an abrasive such as hydrated silica harms the enamel and prevents re-mineralization. Severe wear eventually occurs causing the need for dental treatment to replace lost enamel.
The irritation caused by chemical toothpastes can include sore mouth and gums, wearing away of tooth enamel, sore tongue, and sloughing of mucous membrane. They also may do harm to dental health by altering the microbial balance of the mouth and digestive tract.
Artificial flavourings and sweeteners (e.g. petrochemically derived aspartame)
The burning tingling sensation of most toothpastes is not caused by mint, but the toxic chemicals used in the base. People come to be convinced that the burn is good for them, but in fact is an allergic reaction!
The mouth is the body’s silent alarm system, the window to the body, it can tell you a lot if you observe and listen to its signals. If you have your teeth cleaned on a regular schedule but your gums bleed easily from any type of stimulation, and you practice good oral hygiene routinely, this is usually a signal of a nutritional deficiency (vitamins and minerals), hormonal or chemical imbalance, or a systemic disorder. Your body talks to you – listen. The body’s imbalance can be the result of stress, lack of exercise, diet, love, insufficient daily water intake or medication. All of these factors have an effect on the bacteria in the mouth! A healthy balance of bacteria is the root of good health. Current research links pathogens(bad bacteria) in the mouth to heart disease, diabetes, pulmonary infections, some urinary tract infections, lymphatic imbalance, and intestinal disorders. Most secondary infections of non-ambulatory patients are being linked to the imbalance of bacteria in the mouth.
Practicing good daily hygiene isn’t enough. If you don’t supply your body with the fuel it needs to function properly, it will break down. Excess of refined carbohydrates and sugars not only weakens the teeth and causes abscesses, it plays havoc with energy metabolism. The time you take to learn what your body requires daily will pay dividends for years to come. Remember: Your body is what you put in it. Avoiding allergenic, biotoxic, chemical toothpastes containing the ingredients listed above is a good foundation for being healthier.
Here's another issue...perhaps a little is beneficial....but how do you regulate it?
For example, any processed food is made in a large production plant that most likely uses municipal water that most likely contains fluoride. So everything from cold cereal to lasagna contains fluoride.
Sodium Fluoride Oral Uses
This medication is used to prevent cavities. It makes teeth stronger and more resistant to decay caused by acid and bacteria.
This medication is not recommended for use in infants less than 6 months of age.
This medication is not recommended for use in areas where the fluoride content in the water supply is greater than 0.6 parts per million. See Notes section for more information.
Question 3. Is there a difference in the effectiveness between naturally occurring fluoridated water at optimal fluoride levels and water that has fluoride added to reach the optimal level?
ADA's Fluoridation Facts Short Answer No. The dental benefits of optimally fluoridated water occur regardless of the fluoride's source.
ADA's Fluoridation Facts Long Answer Fluoride is present in water as "ions" or electrically charged atoms.27 These ions are the same whether acquired by water as it seeps through rocks and sand or added to the water supply under carefully controlled conditions. When fluoride is added under controlled conditions to fluoride-deficient water, the dental benefits are the same as those obtained from naturally fluoridated water. Fluoridation is merely a supplementation of the naturally occurring fluoride present in all drinking water sources.
Some individuals mistakenly use the term "artificial fluoridation" to imply that the process of water fluoridation is unnatural and that it delivers a foreign substance into a water supply when, in fact, all water sources contain some fluoride. Community water fluoridation is a natural way to improve oral health.28 (Additional discussion on this topic may be found in Question 32.) Prior to the initiation of "adjusted" water fluoridation, several classic epidemiological studies were conducted that compared naturally occurring fluoridated water to fluoride-deficient water. Strikingly low decay rates were found to be associated with the continuous use of water with fluoride content of 1 part per million.5
A fluoridation study conducted in the Ontario, Canada, communities of Brantford (optimally fluoridated by adjustment), Stratford (optimally fluoridated naturally) and Sarnia (fluoride-deficient) revealed much lower decay rates in both Brantford and Stratford as compared to nonfluoridated Sarnia. There was no observable difference in decay-reducing effect between the naturally occurring fluoride and adjusted fluoride concentration water supplies, proving that dental benefits were similar regardless of the source of fluoride.29
Repeat of Question 3. Is there a difference in the effectiveness between naturally occurring fluoridated water at optimal fluoride levels and water that has fluoride added to reach the optimal level?
Opposition's Response
Fluoride, as such, is never added to the water. Only silicofluorides (a hazardous waste containing many toxic pollutants) are used to artificially fluoridate water, and studies have proven that they do not effectively prevent tooth decay, they only delay it. (See opposition's response to Question 4). Silicofluorides never occur naturally in nature, and they are 85 times more toxic than natural occurring calcium fluoride. Therefore, the effect on the entire body will be different.
This was proven in a study called, "Comparative Toxicity of Fluorine Compounds." After this study was completed, this statement was made: " ... this meant a daily intake of approximately 40 mg/kg of fluorine from sodium fluoride as compared with 3400 mg/kg from calcium fluoride. Therefore, from the standpoint of lethal concentrations and amount of fluorine necessary to cause growth inhibition, wide differences in toxicity of some of the compounds of fluoride were noted." (See 3-1: Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. July 1934, page 797). In other words, industrial waste (sodium fluoride) is 85 times more toxic than natural calcium fluoride. Both of them contain fluoride, but they are totally different compounds. (Also see 3-2).
Calcium is a well-known antidote for fluoride poisoning. When an antidote accompanies a poison, it makes the poison far less toxic to the body. Soft waters to which fluoride is artificially added lack this calcium which is present in most waters that contain natural fluoride.
"The claim that fluoridation is one of 'nature's experiments' is not valid because the salts put into the water supply, sodium fluoride or silicofluorides, are industrial products never found in natural water or in organisms. They are, furthermore, notoriously toxic, sufficiently so to be used as rat poison or insecticide. Calcium fluoride, on the other hand, which is the form commonly found in natural waters, is not toxic enough for such uses." — Dr. C. G. Dobbs, (Ph.D., A.R.C.S.) Bangor, Wales, England.
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