Sodium Fluoride Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Sodium Fluoride Tablet is a chewable fluoride supplement used in children to help prevent dental cavities, especially in areas where drinking water does not provide enough fluoride. It works by strengthening tooth enamel and making teeth more resistant to decay. Dosage depends on age, and the tablets are not intended for use in adults or older adults. Common side effects involve mild skin or mouth irritation, while serious effects can occur with excessive fluoride intake.

What is Sodium Fluoride Tablet

Sodium Fluoride is a chewable tablet supplement that provides fluoride to help prevent cavities in children. It is used for the clinical dietary management of tooth decay prevention in areas where drinking water does not have enough fluoride.

Sodium Fluoride Tablet uses

• Prevents dental cavities (tooth decay)
• Helps strengthen tooth enamel
• Used when dietary or drinking-water fluoride is insufficient
• Helps protect teeth during childhood tooth development

Benefits of Sodium Fluoride Tablet

• Makes teeth stronger and more resistant to decay
• Reduces the risk of cavities
• Supports healthy tooth development in children
• Helps maintain long-term dental health

How Sodium Fluoride Tablet works

Fluoride works by making teeth more resistant to acid, helping teeth repair themselves, and reducing the growth of bacteria that cause cavities. It works both before teeth come in and after they have erupted.

Sodium Fluoride Tablet dosage

Chewable tablets can be chewed or crushed before swallowing, or allowed to dissolve in the mouth before swallowing. They are best taken at bedtime after brushing teeth. Do not eat or drink for at least 15 minutes after taking the tablet. Do not eat or drink dairy products within one hour of taking this medicine, since dairy can reduce how well the fluoride is absorbed.

This tablet is not recommended for children under 3 years old due to choking risk with chewable tablets, and it is not intended for use in adults or older adults.

If a dose is missed, take it as soon as remembered, but skip it if it is almost time for the next dose; do not double up.

Available forms and strengths

• Oral liquid solution
• Paste
• Gel/Jelly
• Suspension
• Cream
• Liquid
• Toothpaste

Side effects of Sodium Fluoride Tablet

Common

• Rash
• Itching or burning
• Blisters on skin
• Sores in the mouth and on the lips (rare)
• Staining of teeth
• Stomach irritation
• Gum irritation
• Excessive salivation

Serious

• Difficulty breathing
• Black, tarry stools
• Bloody vomit
• Diarrhea
• Drowsiness
• Faintness
• Increased watering of the mouth
• Nausea or vomiting
• Shallow breathing
• Stomach cramps or pain
• Tremors
• Unusual excitement
• Watery eyes
• Weakness
• Pain and aching of bones
• Stiffness
• White, brown, or black discoloration of the teeth (occurs only during tooth development in children)

Warnings and precautions

• Taking more fluoride than recommended for a long time can cause tooth fluorosis (white, brown, or black marks on teeth), especially in children under 6, particularly if the local water supply already has a lot of fluoride. Chewable tablets are not recommended for children under 3 years old because of the risk of choking, and this medicine should be kept away from infants and children. 
• Taking too much fluoride over time can cause serious problems with teeth and bones.
• Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to it, have rheumatoid arthritis, kidney stones, or peptic ulcers, unless your doctor says it is okay. Do not take calcium supplements or aluminum hydroxide products at the same time as this medicine; space them about 2 hours apart so both work properly.
• Sodium Fluoride is generally considered low risk in pregnancy based on animal studies, but one source advises against use in pregnancy without a doctor's guidance. Talk to your doctor before using it if you are pregnant.
• It is not known for certain whether fluoride passes into breast milk, so caution is advised. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
• People with kidney problems should use this medicine carefully, since the kidneys may not filter it properly, raising the risk of toxicity. Your doctor may need to monitor your kidney function or adjust your dose.
• Side effects on the liver are rare.
• It is not known how this medicine interacts with alcohol, so check with your doctor before drinking alcohol while using it.
• This medicine does not cause sleepiness or drowsiness, so it should be safe to drive or operate machinery.

Storage

• Store at room temperature (25°C/77°F), with brief excursions allowed between 15°-30°C (59°-86°F)
• Protect from light and moisture
• Dispense in a tight, light-resistant container with a child-resistant closure
• Keep out of reach of children
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed

When to see a doctor

Get emergency help right away if your child has symptoms like black or tarry stools, bloody vomit, diarrhea, drowsiness, faintness, excess saliva, nausea or vomiting, shallow breathing, stomach cramps or pain, tremors, unusual excitement, watery eyes, or weakness after taking this medicine, since these can be signs of taking too much fluoride.

Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you notice bone pain, stiffness, or white, brown, or black spots on the teeth, which can be signs of too much fluoride.

If an overdose happens, seek emergency medical treatment right away. If someone swallows a large amount of fluoride at once, they may feel burning in the mouth, a sore tongue, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain within 30 minutes; give milk to help and seek medical help depending on how much was swallowed.

Alternatives

• Stannous Fluoride
• Fluoride Mouthwash
• Fluoride Toothpaste