For pregnant women, what are the effects of fluoride supplementation to prevent dental caries in the primary teeth of their children?

Question:
For pregnant women, what are the effects of fluoride supplementation to prevent dental caries in the primary teeth of their children?

Clinical Answer:
Data do not suggest that fluoride supplements for pregnant women can prevent dental caries and fluorosis in their children. However, these findings are based on only one randomized controlled trial (RCT), and the quality of evidence is very low.

One RCT showed no clear differences between children whose mothers received fluoride supplements or placebo during pregnancy, in terms of caries in the primary teeth at three years (very low-quality evidence) or at five years (one RCT with 798 participants). Similarly, fluoride supplements had no apparent impact on dental caries in children, as measured by the number of decayed or filled primary tooth surfaces (separately or combined) at three years (one RCT with 938 participants) and at five years (one RCT with 798 participants).

Reviewers found no sign that fluoride supplements can increase fluorosis in mandibular teeth (one RCT with 798 participants) or in maxillary teeth (very low-quality evidence) at five years; trialists did not report on any other adverse effects.