title: Fluoride mechanisms.
abstract: This article discusses fluoride mechanisms in relation to dental caries. The authors specifically address firmly bound versus loosely bound fluoride; different fluoride active ingredients; fluoride and demineralization and remineralization; fluoride slow-release devices and F-releasing dental materials; antimicrobial effects of fluoride; the uptake of fluoride by oral bacteria; inhibition of enolase, protein-intruding ATPase and sugar transport; the various aspects of plaque as it relates to fluoride; and the rational use of fluoride.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cariology Endodontology Pedodontology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: ten Cate
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: van Loveren
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000378:metabolism; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005459:Fluorides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000503:physiopathology; D014089:Tooth Remineralization
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D003764:Dental Materials; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D005459:Fluorides