What do systematic reviews say?

Fluoride varnish vs Fluoride toothpaste alone

Fluoride varnish showed no clear difference in unacceptability of treatment (drop-outs) compared with fluoride toothpaste; GRADE not reported.

• One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing dental caries… 2004 · Cochrane All outcomes
  RR 1.28 [0.37, 4.41]
  1 study
  GRADE not reported

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

Fluoride mouthrinse, gel or varnish combined with fluoride… showed no clear difference in unacceptability of treatment (drop-outs / leaving study early) compared with fluoride toothpaste alone; GRADE not reported.

• Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride for… 2004 · Cochrane All outcomes
  RR 1.06 [0.93, 1.22]
  5 studies · 1998 participants
  GRADE not reported

Fluoride toothpaste vs Any other topical fluoride (gel or mouthrinse)

Fluoride toothpaste showed no clear difference in unacceptability of treatment (drop-outs) compared with any other topical fluoride (gel or mouthrinse); GRADE not reported.

• One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing dental caries… 2004 · Cochrane All outcomes
  RR 0.88 [0.78, 1.00]
  6 studies
  GRADE not reported

Fluoride mouthrinse (0.05-0.32% sodium fluoride or amine fluoride) added to daily fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride toothpaste alone

Fluoride mouthrinse combined with fluoride toothpaste showed no clear difference in unacceptability of treatment (drop-outs / leaving study early) compared with fluoride toothpaste alone; GRADE not reported.

• Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride for… 2004 · Cochrane All outcomes
  RR 1.03 [0.84, 1.26]
  3 studies · 1704 participants
  GRADE not reported

Fluoride varnish vs Fluoride mouthrinse

Fluoride varnish showed no clear difference in unacceptability of treatment (drop-outs) compared with fluoride mouthrinse; GRADE not reported.

• One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing dental caries… 2004 · Cochrane All outcomes
  RR 1.19 [0.86, 1.65]
  2 studies
  GRADE not reported

Fluoride toothpaste vs Non-fluoride (0 ppm F) placebo toothpaste

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Fluoride toothpastes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents 2003 · Cochrane All outcomes

  At least 1 year
  Fluorosis data have not been reported in any of the trials.
  0 studies
  No studies found

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

Fluoride toothpaste vs Non-fluoride (0 ppm F) placebo toothpaste

Fluoride toothpaste led to higher acquiring extrinsic tooth staining (adverse effect; stannous… compared with placebo (non-fluoride) toothpaste; GRADE not reported.

• Fluoride toothpastes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents 2003 · Cochrane All outcomes

  At least 1 year
  RD 0.24 [0.19, 0.30]
  5 studies · 3948 participants
  GRADE not reported

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 therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish;… showed no clear difference in unacceptability of treatment (dropouts/exclusions during the trial) compared with placebo or no treatment; GRADE not reported.

• Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents 2003 · Cochrane All outcomes

  During trial · No-treatment-controlled trials
  RR 1.20 [0.85, 1.70]
  10 studies
  GRADE not reported

Fluoride toothpaste vs Non-fluoride (0 ppm F) placebo toothpaste

• Fluoride toothpastes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents 2003 · Cochrane All outcomes

  At least 1 year
  Oral soft tissue lesions reported in 3 trials, none of which with complete or useable data; all three stated "no lesions attributable to product use were noted".
  3 studies
  GRADE not reported