sodium fluoride
Sodium fluoride is a supplement that's used to prevent cavities in children. It contains fluoride, an important mineral for oral health. This supplement comes as chewable tablets and liquid solution that are swallowed. Side effects usually aren't common, but speak to a healthcare professional about how safe sodium fluoride is for your child.
Note: In October 2025, the FDA recommended not giving ingestible sodium fluoride to children under 3 or those at low or moderate risk of tooth decay. Talk to a healthcare professional to see if this supplement is right for your child.
What is Sodium fluoride?
What is Sodium fluoride used for?
Prevention of cavities in children
How Sodium fluoride works
Sodium fluoride is a supplement containing fluoride. Fluoride protects your teeth from acid and damage caused by bacteria in your mouth. This helps prevent cavities (caries) from forming in your teeth.
Drug Facts
Get your GoodRx coupon
What are the side effects of Sodium fluoride?
Common Side Effects
Other Side Effects
- Rash
Source:Â DailyMed
The following side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Sores in the mouth and on the lips (rare)
Sodium fluoride in drinking water or taken as a supplement does not usually cause any side effects. However, taking an overdose of fluoride may cause serious problems.
Stop taking this medicine and get emergency help immediately if any of the following effects occur:
Black, tarry stools
bloody vomit
drowsiness
faintness
increased watering of the mouth
nausea or vomiting
shallow breathing
stomach cramps or pain
unusual excitement
watery eyes
weakness
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Pain and aching of bones
stiffness
white, brown, or black discoloration of the teeth—occurs only during periods of tooth development in children
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Pros and cons of Sodium fluoride
Pros
Taken once per day
Comes in different fruit flavors
Only needed if fluoride intake is low
Cons
Can't take within 1 hour of dairy products
Might be hard to track how much fluoride your child takes
Not for adults
Pharmacist tips for Sodium fluoride
The sodium fluoride chewable tablets is for children aged 3 to 16 years old. If your child is younger than 3 years old, use the sodium fluoride solution. This is because children under 3 have a higher risk of choking on the tablets.
For sodium fluoride chewable tablets: You can either chew the tablets before swallowing. Or, you can let the tablet dissolve in the mouth before swallowing.
For the sodium fluoride solution: Use a dropper to measure out the dose. Don't use household spoons because they aren't accurate and might cause you to give your child the wrong dose.
Check the toothpaste your child uses and the foods and drinks they consume to see if they already contain fluoride. If they do, don't give your child sodium fluoride and talk to a healthcare professional. Too much fluoride can lead to side effects like changes in how the teeth look.
Frequently asked questions about Sodium fluoride
How to save using GoodRx
What are the risks and warnings for Sodium fluoride?
Sodium fluoride can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Too much fluoride
Taking too much fluoride can cause a condition called fluorosis that can cause changes to your child's teeth. Also, ingesting large amounts of fluoride at one time can cause burning in the mouth, sore tongue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, salivation, and vomiting blood. If your child has any of these symptoms while taking sodium fluoride, call their pediatrician or contact a Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 right away.
Sodium fluoride dosage forms
Typical dosing for Sodium fluoride
The dose depends on your child's age and how much fluoride is in the tap drinking water in your area. The healthcare professional will determine the right dose for your child.
Sodium fluoride chewable tablets
Ages 3 to up to 6 years: The typical dose is 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg by mouth once daily.
Ages 6 to 16 years: The typical dose is 0.5 mg or 1 mg by mouth once daily.
Ages 6 months to up to 3 years: The typical dose is ½ dropperful (0.5 mL) by mouth once daily. This dose is only for children in this age group who live in areas with no or extremely little fluoride in the drinking water.
Ages 3 to up to 6 years: The typical dose is ½ or 1 dropperful (0.5 mL or 1 mL) by mouth once daily.
Ages 6 to 16 years: The typical dose is 1 or 2 dropperfuls (1 mL or 2 mL) by mouth once daily.
Interactions between Sodium fluoride and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
How much does Sodium fluoride cost?
Sodium fluoride contraindications
Children younger than 3 years old (chewable tablets only)
Children younger than 6 months old (solution only)
People older than 16 years of age
Live in areas with adequate fluoride levels in drinking water
What are alternatives to Sodium fluoride?
Prevention of cavities (tooth decay)
Sodium fluoride images
Get savings updates for Sodium fluoride
Receive price alerts, news, and other messages from GoodRx about Sodium fluoride and other healthcare topics and relevant savings offers.By providing your email, you consent to receive marketing communications from GoodRx, which may include content and/or data related to men’s health, women's health, reproductive care, or sexual health. You agree to the GoodRx Terms of Use and acknowledge the Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Browse medications
View AllResearch prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.