Fluoride Supplements

Fluoride supplements should be used as prescribed by the dentist. The most common prescription for children is 1-2 tablets or lozenges per day containing 0.25 mg NaF. For adults, lozenges up to 0.75 mg NaF are available. The prescription is determined by age and by the level of fluoride in the local drinking water.

Evidence of the effectiveness of fluoride supplements is inconsistent and confidence in the evidence available is very low. Practitioners are encouraged to conduct a caries risk assessment before prescribing fluoride supplements. When fluoride supplements are prescribed, they should be taken daily to maximize the caries prevention benefit [2].

The use of fluoride supplements in infants is controversial due to the risk of dental fluorosis and the total fluoride exposure from other sources must be considered. Fluoride supplements must be stored out of reach of small children. For patients aged 3 years and above, fluoride supplements are safe across the life course.

There are a lack of contemporary studies concerning the cost effectiveness of fluoride supplements and no current comparisons with other self-applied fluorides are available. The poor compliance with fluoride supplements is a serious drawback for its cost effectiveness.

Fluoride supplements are a preventive option for individual subjects with increased caries risk. In particular, elderly patients with impaired saliva functions, may benefit from fluoride lozenges and chewing gums which stimulate saliva secretion. Fluoride supplements are generally  no longer a first choice treatment option in population-based programs.