By Doris Obinna
The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has responded to a trending video in which a popular televangelist criticized the use of fluoride in foods, toothpastes, and pharmaceutical products, labelling the substance poisonous and carcinogenic.
The ACPN in a statement by its National Chairman, Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh and the National Secretary, Mrs. Omokhafe Ashore, emphasized that while it would not engage in debates over spiritual matters, it was necessary to clarify the scientific facts surrounding fluoride use, particularly in public health.
According to the ACPN, fluoride is safe when used in approved quantities as regulated by appropriate food and drug authorities. While some studies have associated fluoride with certain types of cancer, these cases typically involved fluoride intake far beyond the recommended limits. The association pointed out that fluoride use below 5mg per kilogram of body weight has been found to be safe.
The ACPN explained that fluoride plays a critical role in oral health, enhancing tooth enamel and preventing decay when included in toothpaste in regulated amounts. “However, misuse or overuse of fluoride-based products can result in conditions such as dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis, and thyroid complications. These adverse effects are usually linked to prolonged exposure to excessive fluoride, especially in children who may inadvertently swallow toothpaste.”
In terms of diet, the ACPN clarified that most dairy products like milk are fluoride-free, but some plant-based milk products may contain fluoride, either as a preservative or as a result of the source plant. “Again, the key concern remains excessive addition, not the presence of fluoride itself.”
The association stressed that no drug or pharmaceutical product is entirely safe unless used within the recommended dosage and timeframe. It reiterated the pharmacological principle that all drugs are potentially poisonous depending on how they are administered and managed.
“Fluoride is a naturally occurring molecule found in water, soil, certain fish like salmon, some fruits, and even in trace amounts in breast milk. From a scientific perspective, the association reaffirmed that fluoride is generally safe for human consumption within the recommended daily intake limits;3.7 to 4.5 mg for adults and 0.7 to 1.3 mg for children.
‘Pharmaceutical companies often manufacture different toothpaste formulations for adults and children to reflect these safe limits.”
The association posed critical questions for public consideration, particularly regarding the awareness and supervision of children’s use of fluoride-containing products and how families ensure that total fluoride intake from all sources does not exceed safe thresholds.
The ACPN assured the public that pharmacists and scientists continue to evaluate the desirability of fluoride use in oral care and remain open to discovering alternative compounds that could offer similar benefits without the risks associated with overdose.
“However, the current scientific consensus does not support any credible link between fluoride in toothpaste or milk and cancer. Several reputable cancer research bodies have conducted extensive studies and found no evidence to support claims that fluoride causes cancer.”
ACPN, however, urged non-scientific figures to refrain from making unverified health claims, warning that misinformation can have harmful consequences on public health in Nigeria.