Systemic fluorides.

Fluoridation of domestic water supplies has been shown to be effective in reducing the prevalence of dental caries in numerous studies conducted world-wide over the last 50 years. The most widely used systemic alternative to water fluoridation is salt fluoridation, which has been found to be effective against dental caries in programs conducted in Switzerland and Hungary. Currently, fluoridated salt is sold in eight countries. Studies conducted on fluoridated milk in Scotland, Hungary, and Bulgaria have shown it to be effective against dental caries, and a number of fluoridated milk programs are currently at the planning stage. The feasibility of using fluoridated sugar in communities where alternative preventive strategies are not feasible is currently being investigated.