fluorider

Fluorider is a term used in several languages to refer to compounds containing fluoride, or the fluoride ion (F−). In English, the corresponding term is fluorides. Fluorider/fluorides encompass a wide range of substances, from simple ionic salts to molecular fluorine-containing species.

Chemically, fluorides are salts of hydrofluoric acid (HF) or compounds in which fluoride is bound to metal or nonmetal elements. The most common fluorides are ionic salts such as sodium fluoride (NaF), potassium fluoride (KF), and calcium fluoride (CaF2). Hydrogen fluoride or bifluoride species are also fluorides.

Fluorides occur naturally in minerals such as fluorite (CaF2). They are produced industrially for use in metallurgy, chemistry, and consumer products. Fluoride compounds are derived from processes such as reaction of hydrofluoric acid with minerals or fluoridation of water and toothpaste manufacturing.

Major uses include dental health products (toothpaste, mouth rinses) for enamel strengthening, water fluoridation to reduce dental caries, use as a flux in aluminum and glass manufacturing, etching and ceramic glaze production, and as catalysts or intermediates in chemical synthesis.

Exposure to fluoride salts is generally safe at regulated low levels, but excessive exposure can cause dental fluorosis in children and skeletal fluorosis with long-term intake. Hydrogen fluoride is highly toxic and corrosive. Regulatory guidelines set limits for fluoride in drinking water and occupational exposure; environmental concerns focus on aquatic toxicity and industrial discharges.