What do systematic reviews say?

Fluoride mouthrinse (0.05-0.32% sodium fluoride or amine fluoride) added to daily fluoride toothpaste vs Control: fluoride toothpaste alone, placebo mouthrinse + toothpaste, or non-fluoride (chlorhexidine) mouthrinse + toothpaste

No adverse effects were reported in any of the seven included studies (ungraded).

• Fluoride mouthrinses for prevention of initial caries in orthodontic patients - a systematic review and meta-analysis. 2025 All outcomes

  During treatment · Clinical orthodontic (fixed multi-bracket appliance) treatment
  No side- or adverse effects were reported in any of the included reports.
  7 studies · 704 participants
  GRADE not reported

Fluoride mouthrinse, gel or varnish combined with fluoride toothpaste (any combined regimen) vs Fluoride toothpaste alone

• Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride for… 2004 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Adverse-effect data scarcely reported: a stain score in one trial and 'any side effects' in one trial without complete or useable data (stated 'no side effects observed in both groups'). No useful information on tooth…
  Studies not reported
  GRADE not reported

Slow-release fluoride device (fluoride glass beads) vs Fluoride mouthrinse

• Fluorides for preventing early tooth decay (demineralised lesions) during fixed brace treatment 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes

  At debond; follow-up 19 months
  Additional SoF Table 3. Adverse effects: current design of the fluoride glass bead inadequate; high attrition partly due to bead breakages ('an improved method of attachment is needed'). 37 participants (1 RCT, Luther…
  1 study · 37 participants
  Very low

Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs placebo or no treatment

• Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents 2003 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Data on adverse effects (stain score, proportion of children with tooth staining, signs of sensitivity in oral soft tissue, adverse symptoms such as nausea/vomiting, etching of enamel) were reported in only a few…
  Studies not reported
  GRADE not reported

1400/250 ppm F (amine F/SnF2) toothpaste + mouthrinse, daily vs 1400/250 ppm F (NaF) toothpaste + mouthrinse, daily

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Fluorides for preventing early tooth decay (demineralised lesions) during fixed brace treatment 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes

  At debond (end of orthodontic treatment)
  Additional SoF Table 2. Adverse effects: none of the trials reported this outcome.
  0 studies
  No studies found

Patient-used 250 ppm F mouthrinse (100 ppm amine F/150 ppm NaF), daily vs 0 ppm F placebo mouthrinse, daily

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Fluorides for preventing early tooth decay (demineralised lesions) during fixed brace treatment 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes

  At debond (end of orthodontic treatment)
  SoF 4. Adverse effects: none of the trials reported this outcome.
  0 studies
  No studies found