title: The cariostatic mechanism of fluoride.
abstract: The benefits of using fluoride to prevent caries have been known for many years, but a complete understanding of this mechanism is still being researched. The fluoride concentration in the apatitic structure of enamel does not have as significant an effect on reducing caries as a continuous presence of fluoride in the plaque liquid. Concentrated, topical fluoride agents (such as in toothpaste, fluoride mouth rinses, gels, or varnishes) have a different mechanism of fluoride protection than low-concentration applications (such as fluoridated water). In initial caries lesions and plaque, concentrated agents form globules of a calcium fluoride-like material on the enamel surface. This material is fairly insoluble, possibly because it is coated with phosphates or proteins. This mechanism explains how the topical application of a fluoride varnish, two or three times a year, can result in caries reduction.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Øgaard
mesh_terms: D001031:Apatites / Q000378:metabolism; D002124:Calcium Fluoride / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D003747:Dental Enamel Solubility; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000737:chemistry; D005122:Exudates and Transudates / Q000737:chemistry; D005459:Fluorides / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000378:metabolism; D014089:Tooth Remineralization
chemical_list: D001031:Apatites; D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005460:Fluorides, Topical; C023807:sodium fluoride topical preparation; D012969:Sodium Fluoride; C025105:fluorapatite; D002124:Calcium Fluoride; D005459:Fluorides