Abstract

Data sources: Cochrane Oral Healths Trials Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) Medline, Embase, LILACS BIREME Virtual Health Library CINAHL US National Institutes of Health Ongoing Trials Register (ClinicalTrials.gov) and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform databases.

Study selection: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) including quasi-randomised and cluster-randomize trials of fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gum) given to women during pregnancy with the aim of preventing caries in the primary teeth of their children were selected.

Data extraction and synthesis: Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. No data synthesis was possible.

Results: Only one RCT met the inclusion criteria. There was no statistical difference in decayed or filled primary tooth surfaces (dfs) or % of children with caries at three years or five years. Risk ratio (RR) at three years = 1.46, (95% CI; 0.75 to 2.85) and RR at five years = 0.84, (95% CI; 0.53 to 1.33). At five years the incidence of fluorosis was similar between the groups.

Conclusions: There is no evidence that fluoride supplements taken by women during pregnancy are effective in preventing dental caries in their offspring.

• Related Studies :

  • The Role of Fluoride in the Prevention of Tooth Decay

    KEYWORDS • Dental caries
    • Dental decay
    • Oral health
    • Fluorides
    • Primary prevention •
    Secondary prevention
    • Children KEY POINTS • Fluoride is the key to prevention of tooth decay. •
    There are multiple fluoride modalities. •
    Effectiveness and safety of fluoride depend on dose and concentration. •
    Individual level

  • Assessing Fluorosis Incidence in Areas with Low Fluoride Content in the Drinking Water, Fluorotic Enamel Architecture, and Composition Alterations.

    There is currently no consensus among researchers on the optimal level of fluoride for human growth and health. As drinking water is not the sole source of fluoride for humans, and fluoride can be found in many food sources, this work aimed to determine the incidence and severity of dental

  • The prevalence and risk factors of fluorosis among patients in a pediatric dental practice

    Seven hundred eight patients aged 5-19 years in a pediatric practice in North Carolina were selected using a random-start, systematic sampling procedure and enrolled in a case control study to determine risks for fluorosis. Subjects were examined by four trained examiners using the Tooth Surface Index of Fluorosis (TSIF). Information

  • A quantitative look at fluorosis, fluoride exposure, and intake in children using a health risk assessment approach

    The prevalence of dental fluorosis in the United States has increased during the last 30 years. In this study, we used a mathematical model commonly employed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to estimate average daily intake offluoride via all applicable exposure pathways contributing to fluorosis risk for infants and children

  • Systemic fluoride. Sources, amounts, and effects of ingestion

    Fluoride may be ingested from a variety of sources, including many foods and beverages. Fluoride intake varies greatly among individuals and is dependent on dietary constituents and use of fluoride products. Although ingestion of toxic amounts of fluoride is rare, the prevalence of dental fluorosis has increased in North America, suggesting that the levels of fluoride ingestion

• Related FAN Content :

  • Physician's Desk Reference: Fluoride Hypersensitivity

    The following are excerpts from various editions of the Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR). "In hypersensitive individuals, fluorides occasionally cause skin eruptions such as atopic dermatitis, eczema or urticaria. Gastric distress, headache and weakness have also been reported. These hypersensitivity reactions usually disappear promptly after discontinuation of the fluoride. In rare cases,

  • Prenatal and postnatal ingestion of fluorides - A progress report.

    The cases described indicate that certain patients react unfavorably to fluoride therapy. Whether the fluorine acts as an allergen after short term use or whether the fluorine acts as an intoxicant after many months of use, is unknown and should be determined.

  • Allergy to Fluoride

    Six children and one adult exhibited various allergic reactions after the use of toothpaste and vitaimin preparations containing fluoride. The following conditions were encountered: Urticaria, exfoliative dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, stomatitis, gastro-intestinal and respiratory allergy.

  • Another Fluoride Fatality: A Physician's Dilemma

    Why do physicians fail to correctly evaluate the toxicity of fluoride? Most textbooks rely on the now outdated views of Smith and Hodge who 25 years ago designated 5 to 10 g of fluoride the fatal toxic dose.