Mineral Spotlight: Fluoride

Fluoride (F^–) is the negatively-charged ion of the gas fluorine, No. 9 on the Periodic Table, which does not naturally occur in isolation except in rare emissions from fluorite, the most common fluoride mineral. Sodium fluoride is used in toothpaste and, like some silicofluorides, to fluoridate water. A liter of Iron Mountain Hot Springs water contains 2.6 mg of fluoride, compared to 0.86 to 1.4 mg in seawater.

Your body contains only about 3 mg of fluoride, but it is necessary for strong teeth and bones, where 99 percent of the fluoride is incorporated. Fluoride interferes with bacteria’s ability to produce the acid that causes tooth decay, enhances remineralization of damaged enamel and remains to make teeth more resistant to decay.

In addition to toothpaste and fluoridated water, leading sources of fluoride are tea, seedless raisins, crustaceans, alcoholic beverages, grape juice and some soups and snacks.

Fluoride, like all the minerals found in the waters at Iron Mountain Hot Springs can be absorbed through the skin in small and safe quantities. Learn more about the wellness benefits of soaking at Iron Mountain Hot Springs.