- Fluoride is widely recognized for its crucial role in the prevention of dental caries.
- The primary mechanism by which fluoride helps protect teeth is by enhancing the remineralization process. When dental enamel begins to demineralize due to acid attack from bacterial metabolism, fluoride ions are incorporated into the enamel structure.
- This incorporation leads to the formation of fluorapatite crystals, which are more acid-resistant compared to the original hydroxyapatite crystals in enamel.

- These fluorapatite crystals make the enamel less susceptible to future acid attacks, thereby strengthening the tooth surface and promoting repair of early carious lesions.
- Although fluoride has some secondary effects such as modest antibacterial properties (through enzyme inhibition) and may influence oral pH indirectly, these effects are not the main way fluoride prevents caries.

Additionally, fluoride does not neutralize oral acidity directly nor does it stimulate salivary flow. Its action is mostly localized in the tooth structure, improving the tooth’s ability to resist and recover from acid challenges.

Key points:
- Fluoride enhances remineralization of demineralized enamel.
- It forms acid-resistant fluorapatite crystals, making teeth stronger.
- This process helps in repairing early carious lesions and prevents further demineralization.
- Other effects like bacterial inhibition or pH buffering are secondary.

Reference: Oral Pathology: Clinical Pathologic Correlations, 7th Edition, Chapter 14 / Page 512