Fluoride plays a crucial role in dental health by strengthening teeth and reducing the risk of cavities by about 25%. It does this primarily by:

• Remineralizing tooth enamel: Fluoride helps replace lost minerals in enamel caused by acids from bacteria and sugars in the mouth, reversing early decay and making enamel more resistant to acid attack

• Preventing demineralization: Fluoride protects enamel from acid erosion by inhibiting the loss of minerals and reducing acid production by cavity-causing bacteria

• Enhancing enamel quality: In children under 6-7 years, fluoride incorporates into developing enamel, making permanent teeth more resistant to decay

• Inhibiting bacterial activity: Fluoride reduces the ability of bacteria in dental plaque to produce acid and adhere to teeth, further preventing decay

Fluoride treatments, such as gels, foams, or varnishes applied by dentists, can improve oral health by significantly reducing cavities and promoting enamel repair

. Side effects: Excessive fluoride intake during tooth development (mainly in children under 6-8 years) can cause dental fluorosis, which manifests as white spots, streaks, or in severe cases, brown discoloration and pitting of enamel. This condition is mostly cosmetic and does not affect oral health but results from prolonged high fluoride exposure, often from natural sources or excessive supplements

. In summary, fluoride strengthens and protects teeth by enhancing enamel resistance to acid and promoting remineralization, thereby reducing cavities. However, careful use is necessary to avoid fluorosis in young children.