How Does Fluoride Work?

Fluoride helps protect teeth in two main ways:

Remineralization: When fluoride is absorbed at the tooth surface, it forms a new mineral, called fluorapatite. Low levels of fluoride found in saliva combine with fluorapatite to help replace lost minerals and repair minor damage to the tooth.

Protection from demineralization: The fluorapatite is also less vulnerable to decay than the original enamel, helping making the tooth more resistant to demineralization.