Acute Intoxication:
In very high doses, fluoride can have an acute toxic effect. Doses of several milligrams of fluoride per kg of body weight may cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Tetany and convulsion can occur, as well as cardiovascular disorders.
Increased risk of bone fracture and skeletal fluorosis (stiffness of joints and skeletal deformities) will only be observed in cases of very high chronic intake of fluoride.
Treatment:
Treatment and management should be symptomatic.
In case of mild gastrointestinal overdose symptoms a small glass of milk to drink should be given to bind fluoride ion.
It should be noted that gut decontamination is contraindicated. Charcoal is of no benefit.
Chronic Intoxication (Fluorosis):
The dental enamel will take on a stained or speckled appearance once a fluoride dosage in excess of 1.5 mg per day is absorbed daily over several months or years, depending on the extent of overdose. This will be accompanied by increased enamel fragility in severe forms. Bone fluorosis (osteosclerosis) will only be seen where there is high chronic absorption of fluoride (over 8 mg daily).