Sodium Fluoride
Sodium Fluoride
Sodium fluoride (NaF) is found in toothpastes such as Colgate's Colgate Total plus Whitening. Sodium fluoride acts as a source of fluoride in toothpaste. Fluoride is considered very important in maintaining strong healthy teeth. Fluoride helps strenghten and toughen teeth, and to repair early stages of tooth decay. It also slows the rate of plaque growth on teeth.
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Sodium fluoride has the same molecular structure as sodium chloride. It has a formula weight of 42.0 grams per mole. It is usually a white or nile blue fine powder or crystals and hygroscopic. While the low concentrations of sodium fluuride used in toothpaste are beneficial, high concentrations are extremely toxic and could prove fatal. |
References:
Colgate.com @ http://www.colgate.com/cp/oralcare.class/home.jsp
http://artsandscience2.concordia.ca/factstaff/A-C/BIRD/c241/notes_shriver.html
Couch Potato Science @ http://www.abc.net.au/couch/s200522.htm
http://www.nap.edu/books/0309033381/html/46.html
Page prepared by: Robert Hill