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Fluoride

Mineral Unit: µg

Supports dental health by strengthening tooth enamel and preventing cavities.

Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA)

4,000
Adult Male
µg/day
3,000
Adult Female
µg/day
Daily Requirements by Life Stage 16 groups
Life StageRDA / AI (µg/day)Upper Limit (µg/day)
Children 1-3 years700 *1,300
Children 4-8 years1,000 *2,200
Males 9-13 years
Females 9-13 years
Males 14-18 years
Females 14-18 years
Males 19-30 years4,000 *10,000
Females 19-30 years3,000 *10,000
Males 31-50 years
Females 31-50 years
Males 51-70 years
Females 51-70 years
Males 70+ years
Females 70+ years
Pregnancy
Lactation

* = Adequate Intake (AI) where no RDA established

Top Foods Highest in Fluoride

Amount per 100g serving. Values in µg per 100g.

Foods Highest in Fluoride (Table)

#FoodPer 100gGroup
1Duck, domesticated, meat and skin, raw1,000 µgPoultry Products
2Duck, wild, meat and skin, raw1,000 µgPoultry Products
3Beverages, tea, instant, lemon, sweetened, powder584 µgBeverages
4Fish, salmon, pink, canned, drained solids570 µgFinfish and Shellfish Products
5Beverages, tea, black, brewed, prepared with tap water373 µgBeverages
6Beverages, tea, instant, unsweetened, prepared with water335 µgBeverages
7Raisins, dark, seedless (Includes foods for USDA's Food Dist234 µgFruits and Fruit Juices
8Crustaceans, crab, blue, canned210 µgFinfish and Shellfish Products
9Alcoholic beverage, wine, table, white, Chardonnay202 µgBeverages
10Crustaceans, shrimp, mixed species, canned201 µgFinfish and Shellfish Products
11Pork, fresh, composite of separable fat, with added solution170 µgPork Products
12Pork, fresh, shoulder, arm picnic, separable lean and fat, r170 µgPork Products
13Pork, fresh, carcass, separable lean and fat, raw170 µgPork Products
14Pork, Shoulder breast, boneless, separable lean and fat, raw170 µgPork Products
15Pork, fresh, backribs, separable lean and fat, raw170 µgPork Products
16Pork, fresh, separable fat, cooked170 µgPork Products
17Pork, fresh, spareribs, separable lean and fat, raw170 µgPork Products
18Pork, fresh, backribs, separable lean and fat, cooked, roast170 µgPork Products
19Pork, Shoulder petite tender, boneless, separable lean and f170 µgPork Products
20Pork, fresh, separable fat, raw170 µgPork Products

Health Effects of Fluoride

Function

Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel through remineralization and inhibits bacterial acid production in dental plaque. It also contributes to bone mineral density.

Deficiency Signs

Insufficient fluoride is associated with increased dental caries. No systemic deficiency syndrome is recognized.

Excess / Toxicity

Excess fluoride during tooth development causes dental fluorosis (white spots to brown staining). Chronic high intake can cause skeletal fluorosis with joint stiffness and pain.

Absorption & Interactions

How It’s Absorbed

Rapidly and almost completely absorbed from the stomach and small intestine. About 50% is deposited in bones and teeth; the remainder is excreted by kidneys.

Key Interactions
Calcium Inhibitor
Calcium-rich foods and supplements can reduce fluoride absorption by forming insoluble calcium fluoride

Frequently Asked Questions

How much Fluoride do I need per day?

Adult males need 4,000 µg/day and adult females need 3,000 µg/day.

Which food has the most Fluoride?

The food highest in Fluoride is Duck, domesticated, meat and skin, raw with 1,000 µg per 100g.

What does Fluoride do in the body?

Supports dental health by strengthening tooth enamel and preventing cavities.