Fluoride Alternatives in the Prevention of Dental Caries: A Review

Abstract

There is no doubt that fluoride has been playing an important role in the prevention of dental caries and has been incorporated in various products (in both topical and systemic forms). However, few researchers consider fluoride to be a double edged sword as its use as an anticaries agent has been marked by various controversies because of the health concerns associated with the excessive use of the fluorides with its chronic use has been found to be associated with dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis, osteoporosis of long bones, carcinomas, renal and gall bladder calcification etc. The efficacy of fluorides to pit and fissured of the tooth surface is also questioned as its effect only seems to be limited to the smooth surface to the tooth. Hence, this review provides the readers with alternative fluoride free delivery mechanisms for caries prevention which can be used as an effective public health measure.