sodium fluoride: clinical use

Prescribing considerations

• Confirm caries activity and overall susceptibility, and review the ongoing need during routine oral-health assessments.
• Assess other fluoride sources and the likelihood of swallowing, particularly where supervision or assistance with brushing is required.
• Reinforce that the product replaces ordinary toothpaste and must be spat out without immediate rinsing.

Contraindications and cautions

• Hypersensitivity to sodium fluoride or an excipient.
• Use in children younger than 10 years.
• Avoid ingestion; consider the sorbitol content in hereditary fructose intolerance and the potential for propylene glycol to irritate skin.

Monitoring

• Review coronal and root caries activity and changes in overall caries risk.
• Check technique, adherence, accidental ingestion and concurrent fluoride exposure.
• Review unexplained oral or perioral irritation or suspected hypersensitivity.

Clinical pharmacology

Topical fluoride inhibits tooth demineralisation and promotes remineralisation of enamel and exposed dentine. Minimal systemic exposure is expected when the toothpaste is not swallowed.

Formulation and product differences

• The selected product is a smooth, white, spearmint-flavoured toothpaste for dental or oromucosal use, not an oral fluoride supplement.
• It contains sorbitol, propylene glycol and sodium laurilsulphate among its excipients.
• The opened tube has a limited in-use shelf life specified in the product information.