| Method of Fluoride Delivery |
Fl content |
Cost |
Pros |
Cons |
Comments |
| Water fluoridation |
0.7 parts per million (ppm) |
50 cents-$3/per person/per year |
Safe; minute amounts of fluoride over long period of time; convenient; consumers of all ages benefit. |
Small vocal minority fear any additives in the drinking water. |
Most effective and safest method of fluoride delivery; considered closest to nature’s way. |
| Fluoride tablets |
0.5 -1.0 mg |
$50.00/year |
Safe, but was originally intended to be dissolved in water; systemic and topical benefits. |
Inappropriate use may cause mild fluorosis (white spots on the teeth); problem with compliance. |
Recommended for children living in areas that are not fluoridated. |
| Fluoride toothpaste |
1,000 – 1,500 ppm |
$20.00/year |
Safe for topical use; provides topical benefits. |
Parents must monitor small children, as they tend to swallow toothpaste – only a smear (0-2 years) to a pea-size amount (2-6 years) is recommended. |
|
| Over-the- counter fluoride rinse |
230 ppm |
$14.00/year |
|
Topical benefits; no systemic benefit; problem with compliance. |
|
| Topical Fl applied in the dental office |
12,300 – 26,600 ppm |
$80.00/year |
|
Because of expense, not available to all; insurance pays for fluoride treatments only for children. |
|
| Prescription Fluoride gel |
5,000 ppm |
$51.00/year |
|
Not suitable for children; problem with compliance; unpleasant taste. |
|
