<p>In acute poisoning, symptoms include a salty or soapy taste, increased salivation, GI disturbances, abdominal pain, weakness, drowsiness, faintness and shallow breathing; more serious effects include hypocalcaemia, hypomagnesaemia, hyperkalaemia, tremors, convulsions, cardiac arrhythmias, shock, respiratory arrest and cardiac failure. Death may occur within 2-4 hr. Treatment includes gastric lavage with lime water or a weak solution of another calcium salt to precipitate fluoride. Maintain high urine output, slow IV inj of calcium gluconate 10% may be used for hypocalcaemia and tetany. Magnesium sulfate may be given to treat hypomagnesaemia, and aluminium hydroxide may help to reduce fluoride absorption. Haemodialysis may be considered. Chronic fluoride poisoning may cause skeletal fluorosis resulting in bone pain, stiffness, limited movment and in severe cases, crippling deformities. In children, prolonged excessive intake during tooth development before eruption may cause dental fluorosis characterised by mottled enamel.</p>