So what happens if you DO consume more than “a pea sized” amount? Say an Oreo fillings’ worth. Or, you frost a cupcake with Colgate. I’m sure flouride is good for you, or they wouldn’t put it in there, right?
I want to say that I vaguely remember reading once upon a time that flouride was a by-product of copper refining? Mmm-Mmm-Good!
bp
If you’re a three-year old, then bad. If you’re an adult, no biggie.
I used to be a water treatment plant operator and we had to learn the effects and the signs of fluoride overdose even though the plant I worked at did not add Fluoride. It is a very serious condition that manifests itself first with “white spots” on the teeth. Much whiter than they already are. Advanced cases can cause tooth loss and bone damage and of course death in extreme cases. You (as in an adult) would have to injest far more than just a tube of toothpaste. More like a tube a day for an extended period of time. A child however could reach these levels with one tube.
Funny you mention that. We were shopping one evening (many years ago) when our younger daughter started barfing for no discernable reason. She was at most 2 years old, probably younger. Obviously, we left the store, and started to drive home. The vomiting continued in the car, and we began to become alarmed. Should we stop at the pediatrician’s office on the way home? The E.R.? Then hubby noticed something. “That smells like toothpaste! Could she have gotten into the toothpaste?” “Oh, yeah,” says older sister. “She eats toothpaste all the time.” :eek:
When we got home we called the doctor, and he told us if she was throwing up that much, we had nothing to worry about. We checked the current toothpaste tube and sure enough, a previously nearly-full tube was now only half full. She had no ill effects, unless you count that to this day she does not like mint-flavored things any more.