What Is the Difference Between Fluorine and Fluoride

First off, its fluorine and fluoride and not flourine and flouride. The misspelling is common, but the u comes before the o in both.  Fluorine is a chemical element. In pure form, it is a highly toxic, reactive, yellowish-green gas. The fluorine anion, F-, or any of the compounds containing the anion are termed fluorides. When you hear about fluoride in drinking water, it comes from adding a fluorine compound (usually sodium fluoride, sodium fluorosilicate, or fluorosilicic acid) to drinking water, which dissociates to release the F- ion. Stable fluorides are also found in fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash. Summary of the Difference Fluorine is an element. Fluoride either refers to the fluorine ion or to a compound that contains the element fluorine.