Effect of Fluoride on Gut Microbiota: A Systematic Review

Yasin, Momina, Zohoori, Fatemeh Vida, Kumah, Elizabeth, Subramanian, Murali, Dean, Paul and Orr, Caroline Hayley (2025) 'Effect of Fluoride on Gut Microbiota: A Systematic Review'. Nutrition Reviews. (In Press)

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Abstract

Context
Fluoride can prevent dental caries by inhibiting demineralization and promoting remineralization of teeth while affecting the physiology of oral microbiota, thus inhibiting cellular enzymes. However, the effect of systemic fluoride on gut microbiota is unknown.
Objective
To explore the impacts of systemic fluoride on gut microbiota composition and abundance and associated functions such as gene and metabolic regulation.
Data Sources
A systematic database search was conducted of MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, and Embase to find articles on studies reporting the effects of fluoride on gut microbiota.
Data Extraction
Forty-nine studies were included (n = 42 in animals, 4 of humans, 3 in vitro studies) after screening for title, abstract, and full text using Covidence to check against eligibility criteria. Data were extracted using Covidence and study quality was assessed using the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool by 2 reviewers independently.
Data Analysis
Two human studies of dental fluorosis and 1 of patients with breast cancer (intestinal fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose uptake) showed significant differences in gut microbial composition, with increased relative abundance of Acidobacteria and Proteobacteria, and decreased abundance of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. An ex vivo study of human feces indicated that ≤ 2 mg L–1 NaF might boost “health-associated” taxa, but concentrations (≥ 10 mg L–1 NaF) could increase the ratio of some unhealthy microbes after 24 hours. The animal studies examined the effects of high fluoride doses in water and diet (50-1200 mg L–1 NaF) for long-term (1-6 months) and short-term (6 hours to 7 days) exposure, with all showing a significant disturbance in the Firmicutes to Bacteroidota ratio.
Conclusion
In humans, high doses potentially may be detrimental to the microbiome, whereas ≤ 2 mg L–1 NaF had positive effects. Similarly, in animals, ≥ 50 mg L–1 NaF was unsafe, whereas ≤ 25 mg L–1 NaF had harmless effects. Systematic Review Registration PROSPERO registration No. CRD42022347357.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	QW Microbiology and Immunology > QW 4 General works. Classify here works on microbiology as a whole. QW Microbiology and Immunology > QW 51 Morphology and variability of microorganisms. Microbial genetics. WU Dentistry. Oral Surgery > WU 20.5 Dental research (General)
Faculty: Department:	Clinical Sciences & International Health > International Public Health Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuae202
SWORD Depositor:	JISC Pubrouter
Depositing User:	JISC Pubrouter
Date Deposited:	02 Apr 2025 11:12
Last Modified:	02 Apr 2025 11:12
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/26402

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