fluorine deficiency fluorine deficiency fluoride or fluorine deficiency is a disorder which may cause increased dental caries and possibly osteoporosis, due to a lack of fluoride in diet. common dietary sources of fluoride include tea, grape juice, wine, raisins, some seafood, coffee, and tap water that has been fluoridated. the extent to which the condition truly exists, and its relationship to fluoride poisoning has given rise to some controversy. fluorine is not considered to be an essential nutrient, but the importance of fluorides for preventing tooth decay is well-recognized, despite the effect is predominantly topical. prior to 1981, the effect of fluorides was thought to be largely systemic and preeruptive, requiring ingestion. fluoride is considered essential in the development and maintenance of teeth by the american dental hygienists' association. fluoride incorporates into the teeth to form and harden teeth enamels. this makes the teeth more acid resistant, as well as more resistant to cavity forming bacteria. caries-inhibiting effects of fluoride were first noticed 1902, when fluoride in high concentrations was found to stain teeth and prevent tooth decay. fluorine deficiencyfluoride is sold in tablets for cavity prevention.causeslack of fluoride in the diet, poor oral hygienerisk factorsdental caries fluoride salts, particularly sodium fluoride (naf), are used in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis. symptoms such as fractured hips in the elderly or brittle and weak bones may be caused by fluorine deficiency in the body. fluoride stimulates bone formation and increases bone density; however, bone with excess fluoride content has an abnormal structure resulting in increased fragility. thus, fluoride therapy results in large increases in bone mineral density but the effect on fracture rates, while positive, is small. disputes over the essential nature of fluorine date back to the 19th century, when fluorine was first observed in teeth and bones. in 1973, a trial claimed to have found reduced reproduction in mice fed on fluorine-deficient diets; however, a subsequent investigation found that this was likely due to an iron-deficient diet. role of fluoride fluoride increases resistance to the "demineralization of tooth enamel during attack by acidic bacteria". while essential for all individuals, fluoride's effects are most significant in children, as the fluoride is incorporated into their developing enamel. this in turn causes their teeth to become less prone to decay. therefore, a relationship can be formulated, in that the more fluoride entering the body, the overall decline in the rate of decay. sources of fluoride fluorine is the 13th most abundant element in the earth's crust. the ionic form of fluorine is called fluoride. fluoride is most commonly found as inorganic or organic fluorides such as naturally occurring calcium fluoride, or synthetic sodium fluoride. there are a number of sources of fluoride. water fluoride occurs naturally within water supplies. as an example, in australia, at a concentration of approximately 0.1 mg/l. however, this number varies amongst different populations, as specific fluoridated communities exceed this amount, ranging from 0.6 to 1.0 mg/l of fluoride present. the process of incorporating more fluoride into water systems is an affordable mechanism that has many long-term benefits toothpaste