Comprehensive medication guide to PreviDent including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$20 copay depending on dental or pharmacy benefit; prescription fluoride may be covered under dental preventive benefits (D1208) or pharmacy benefit; coverage varies significantly by plan and quantity limits may apply.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$20–$40 retail for brand PreviDent; as low as $11–$15 for generic sodium fluoride 1.1% with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons for a 100mL tube (approximately 30-day supply).
Medfinder Findability Score
72/100
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PreviDent is a brand-name prescription dental product made by Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals. Its active ingredient is sodium fluoride at 1.1% concentration — equivalent to 5,000 parts per million (ppm) of fluoride. This is approximately four to five times the fluoride concentration found in standard over-the-counter toothpaste (1,000–1,500 ppm), making it significantly more effective for patients at elevated risk of tooth decay.
PreviDent comes in several formulations: PreviDent 5000 Plus (paste), PreviDent 5000 Sensitive (with 5% potassium nitrate), PreviDent 5000 Dry Mouth (SLS-free gel), PreviDent 5000 BoosterPlus (gel), and PreviDent 5000 Enamel Protect (with potassium nitrate). Each formulation is tailored to specific patient needs, including general caries prevention, tooth sensitivity, and dry mouth.
PreviDent is used in adults and children 6 years and older (12+ for some formulations). It is classified as a dental caries preventive and mouth/throat product. Because of its high fluoride concentration, it requires a prescription in the United States.
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PreviDent works through two primary mechanisms. First, when fluoride ions are deposited on tooth enamel, they participate in remineralization — replacing hydroxide in the enamel crystal structure to form fluorapatite, a mineral significantly more resistant to acid dissolution than natural hydroxyapatite. This makes enamel harder and more resistant to the acid produced by cavity-causing bacteria.
Second, fluoride ions are taken up by bacteria in dental plaque and interfere with the metabolic enzymes they use to convert sugars into acids. This direct antibacterial effect reduces acid production, slowing the entire decay process.
At 5,000 ppm, PreviDent delivers a much higher fluoride dose to enamel than standard OTC toothpaste, driving significantly more fluoride uptake. Clinical studies show PreviDent 5000 Plus remineralizes root caries by 38% in under 3 months and 57% at 6 months. Formulations containing 5% potassium nitrate also reduce tooth sensitivity by depolarizing nerve endings in the dentinal tubules.
1.1% (5000 ppm) — dental paste
PreviDent 5000 Plus — once daily use, squeeze tube, spearmint/fruitastic flavors
1.1% NaF + 5% KNO3 (5000 ppm) — dental gel
PreviDent 5000 Sensitive — twice daily, for sensitivity and cavities, ages 12+
1.1% (5000 ppm) — liquid gel
PreviDent 5000 Dry Mouth — once daily, SLS-free formula for xerostomia
1.1% (5000 ppm) — gel
PreviDent 5000 BoosterPlus — once daily gel format
1.1% NaF + 5% KNO3 (5000 ppm) — gel
PreviDent 5000 Enamel Protect — twice daily, enamel protection and sensitivity, ages 12+
PreviDent is not on the FDA drug shortage list as of 2026, and there is no national supply issue. However, prescription dental products are inconsistently stocked at retail pharmacies — many locations simply don't carry PreviDent or carry only one of its multiple formulations. This can make it frustrating to locate, even though supply at the national level is stable.
Larger chain pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart) at high-volume locations are most likely to carry it. Your dentist's office may also dispense PreviDent or an equivalent product directly. Mail-order pharmacies offer the most reliable long-term supply for patients who use PreviDent regularly. If you're prescribed the generic (sodium fluoride 1.1% dental paste), it is more widely available than brand-name PreviDent.
If you're having trouble locating PreviDent, medfinder calls pharmacies near you and texts you which ones can fill your prescription — saving you the phone tag and wasted trips.
PreviDent is not a controlled substance, so prescribing authority is broad. Any licensed prescriber with authority to write dental or medical prescriptions can prescribe it. This includes:
General dentists (most common prescribers)
Pediatric dentists (for children 6+)
Periodontists
Orthodontists
Oral surgeons
Primary care physicians (PCPs)
Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs)
Telehealth dental services can also prescribe PreviDent via virtual consultation in states that permit remote dental prescribing. This is a convenient option for patients who need a prescription renewal or who are established dental patients without an upcoming in-person appointment.
No. PreviDent (sodium fluoride 1.1% topical) is not a controlled substance and is not scheduled by the DEA. It is a prescription-only dental product due to its high fluoride concentration, but it does not carry the prescribing restrictions associated with controlled substances.
Because PreviDent is not controlled, it can be prescribed by a broad range of providers including dentists, dental hygienists (in states with collaborative practice agreements), physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Prescriptions can be called in by phone, faxed, or sent electronically — no special forms or limitations apply. Refills are permitted as authorized by the prescriber.
PreviDent is generally well tolerated when used as directed. Most patients experience no significant side effects. The following are the most commonly reported issues:
Mild taste change or unfamiliar flavor (typically resolves within days)
Mild gum irritation when first starting (usually resolves within the first week)
Temporary tooth sensitivity in first days of use
Serious side effects are rare with proper topical use:
Dental staining or pitting (sign of excessive ingestion or overuse)
Fluoride toxicity if accidentally swallowed (nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps) — requires immediate medical attention
Dental fluorosis in children under 6 who repeatedly swallow the product
Allergic reaction (very rare) — hives, difficulty breathing, facial swelling require emergency care (call 911)
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Clinpro 5000
3M prescription fluoride toothpaste with functionalized tricalcium phosphate (fTCP); dye-free; particularly effective for white-spot lesion reversal in orthodontic patients
Fluoridex Daily Defense
Clean-formulation 5000 ppm fluoride toothpaste; most affordable prescription option; widely used for general high-risk cavity prevention
CariFree Pro Gel 5000
Alkaline pH formulation with xylitol; best for patients with acid reflux, acidic diet, or xerostomia
Generic Sodium Fluoride 1.1%
Therapeutically equivalent to PreviDent; multiple manufacturers; lowest cost option typically $11–$15 with GoodRx; prescribe generically for widest pharmacy access
Prefer PreviDent? We can find it.
Other prescription fluoride products
moderateDo not use other prescription fluoride medications (oral fluoride tablets, other prescription fluoride toothpastes) on the same day. Avoid oral fluoride medications for at least 4 days after in-office fluoride treatment kits.
Calcium (from food or supplements)
minorCalcium binds fluoride ions and may reduce absorption into enamel. Do not eat or drink (including dairy) for 30 minutes after using PreviDent. Calcium-rich foods or supplements given immediately after swallowing can help neutralize excess fluoride.
Reduced fluoride clearance with kidney disease
minorNot a drug-drug interaction but a clinical caution: fluoride is renally cleared. Patients with kidney disease may have reduced fluoride clearance. Use with caution and inform your prescriber.
PreviDent is a clinically proven, widely prescribed prescription fluoride toothpaste that provides significantly enhanced cavity protection for high-risk patients. With a well-established safety profile and no DEA scheduling, it is one of the more straightforward prescription dental products to manage — the main challenge for most patients is finding it at a local pharmacy.
Key takeaways: PreviDent is not in a national shortage, but may be hard to find at your local pharmacy. The generic (sodium fluoride 1.1%) is therapeutically equivalent and typically costs $11–$15 with GoodRx. Use PreviDent once daily at bedtime (or as directed), spit out, and don't eat or drink for 30 minutes. It is safe for long-term use in adults and children 6+.
If you're having trouble locating PreviDent at a pharmacy near you, medfinder will contact pharmacies in your area and text you which ones have your prescription in stock — saving you the time and frustration of calling around yourself.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
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