Fluorides in Caries Prevention: A Review

The process of dental caries is determined by a delicate balance between pathological factors that lead do demineralization and protective factors that lead to remineralisation. The aetiology of dental caries is quite complex involving interaction between the agent, host and environmental factors. Dental fluorosis is clearly indicates overexposure to fluoride when the teeth were in developing stage. While peroxide is the primary agent found in products that bleach and remove intrinsic sources of discoloration, several ingredients are engaged within formulations to remove and inhibit extrinsic sources of tooth discoloration, ie, tooth stain. Professionally applied topical fluoride varnish, solutions and gel, have been effective in preventing and in arresting dental caries.