
Sodium fluoride is an inorganic salt of sodium and fluorine. It is a colorless crystalline solid. It is manufactured commercially by neutralizing hexafluorosilicic acid or hydrofluoric acid. Sodium fluoride salt is usually employed as a source of fluoride ions for various applications such as in toothpastes and other dental care products, water treatment, preservative applications, chemicals manufacturing, and metallurgy among others. Sodium fluoride is toxic inorganic chemical due to its fluoride content and may cause fluoride poisoning in case of over dosage. Some of the common ailments include general weakness, stomach pain, irritation, vomiting, appetite loss, nausea, ulcers, cardiac arrhythmia, hypocalcemia, nervous system disorders, dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis. In rare cases, it may lead to osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer.