Lack of effect of high doses of fluoride in prevention of alveolar bone loss in rats.

Abstract

Drinking water containing 45 ppm fluoride (as sodium fluoride) was given to 15 male weanling rats for 6 months. A control group, 14 rats, received water containing 0.02 ppm fluoride. The high intake of fluoride had no preventive effect on alveolar bone resorption. Rather, there was a tendency to slightly more alveolar bone loss in the fluoridated rats, particularly in the mandible. The results are discussed in relation to possible toxic systemic effects and possible local injurious effects of high concentrations of fluoride.