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Fluoride supplement

Sodium fluoride

Brand names: Duraphat, FluoriGard

Sodium fluoride is a fluoride preparation, available as toothpaste, mouthwash, tablets and varnish, used to prevent dental caries.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

Fluoride is incorporated into tooth enamel as fluorapatite, increasing resistance to acid demineralisation and promoting remineralisation, and it also inhibits oral bacterial metabolism.

Prescribing in practice

  • Excessive fluoride intake, particularly in young children, causes dental fluorosis, so the local water fluoride concentration and total fluoride exposure must be considered before prescribing supplements.
  • Acute overdose is toxic; keep products out of reach of children and supervise paediatric use.
  • Tailor the formulation and strength to caries risk and age, following dental and a children's formulary guidance for younger patients.

Monitoring

Periodic dental review assesses caries risk and any signs of fluorosis, with attention to total fluoride exposure including water supply.

Counselling the patient

  • Spit out toothpaste and avoid rinsing immediately afterwards to retain fluoride benefit.
  • Supervise children's use and store products safely out of their reach.

Evidence & guidelines

The caries-preventive efficacy of topical and systemic fluoride is well established and underpins NICE and public health dental health guidance.

Reference: NICE NG30; SDCEP; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

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