Health Library

Fluoride overdose

Fluoride is a chemical commonly used to prevent tooth decay. Fluoride overdose occurs when someone takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this substance. This can be by accident or on purpose.

This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual overdose. If you or someone you are with has overdosed, call the local emergency number (such as 911), or the local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.

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Poisonous Ingredient

Fluoride can be harmful in large amounts. Acute exposure to dangerous amounts of fluoride is rare, and usually occurs in small children.

Where Found

Fluoride is found in many over-the-counter and prescription products, including:

Certain mouthwashes and toothpastes
Certain vitamins (Tri-Vi-Flor, Poly-Vi-Flor, Vi-Daylin F)
Water that has fluoride added to it
Sodium fluoride liquid and tablets

Fluoride may also be found in other household items, including:

Etching cream (also called acid cream, used to etch designs in drinking glasses)
Roach powders

Other products may also contain fluoride.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a fluoride overdose include:

Abdominal pain
Abnormal taste in the mouth (salty or soapy taste)
Diarrhea
Drooling
Eye irritation (if it gets in the eyes)
Headache
Abnormal levels of calcium and potassium in the blood
Irregular or slow heartbeat
Cardiac arrest (in severe cases)
Nausea and vomiting
Shallow breathing
Tremors (rhythmic movements)
Weakness

Before Calling Emergency

Have this information ready:

Person's age, weight, and condition (for example, is the person awake or alert?)
Name of the product (ingredients and strength, if known)
Time it was swallowed
Amount swallowed
If the medicine was prescribed for the person

Call for help even if you don't know this information.

Poison Control

The local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can also get online poison help now at Poisonhelp.org. Just enter the product, poison, or medicine to get expert help.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

Take the container to the hospital with you, if possible.

Your health care provider will measure and monitor your vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.

Tests that may done include:

Treatment may include:

Fluids through a vein (by IV)
Medicines to treat symptoms
Calcium or milk
Laxatives
Breathing support, including a tube through the mouth into the lungs and connected to a breathing machine (ventilator)

The above tests and treatments are more likely to be done if someone overdoses on fluoride from household products, such as hydrofluoric acid in rust remover. They are less likely to be done for an overdose of fluoride from toothpaste and other health products.

Outlook (Prognosis)

How well someone does depends on how much fluoride was swallowed and how quickly treatment is received. The faster a person gets medical help, the better the chance for recovery.

The amount of fluoride in toothpaste is usually not swallowed in large enough amounts to cause harm.

References

Aronson JK. Fluoride salts and derivatives. In: Aronson JK, ed. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. 16th ed. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:366-367.

Levine MD. Chemical injuries. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 55.

Meehan TJ. Care of the poisoned patient. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 135.

Nelson LS, Calello DP. Acute poisoning. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 96.

Review Date: 10/14/2025

Reviewed By: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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