FLUORIDE SUPPLEMENTS - CURRENT EFFECTIVENESS, SIDE-EFFECTS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

A critical review of the literature was conducted to determine the cur rent effectiveness of fluoride supplements in caries prevention and th eir role as risk factors for dental fluorosis. Use of fluoride supplem ents by young children is idiosyncratic and all of the studies which i nvestigated the effectiveness of this regimen suffered from a signific ant drop in the number of participants receiving daily supplements. Th e scientific evidence supports the efficacy of fluoride supplements in caries prevention but there is weaker support for their effectiveness . Fluoride supplements are a risk factor for dental fluorosis, though their contribution to the increase in fluorosis prevalence is less tha n that of water fluoridation and fluoridated dentifrices because of th eir more limited and shorter use. There is also evidence that fluoride supplements are used inappropriately in fluoridated areas. The availa bility of optimal levels of fluorides in beverages in non-fluoridated communities raises the question of whether fluoride supplements are ne eded in the 1990s, and whether it is time to consider the total fluori de intake not only from water but also from foods, beverages, and dent ifrices, when recommending supplements. A re-evaluation of the need fo r and dosage schedules of fluoride supplements is warranted.