Restorative & Materials · single question
Fluoride's principal anticaries mechanism is to:
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Promote remineralization and form acid-resistant fluorapatite, lowering enamel solubility
- A. Fluoride has some antibacterial effect but does not kill all bacteria.
- B. Correct. Fluoride drives remineralization and converts hydroxyapatite to less-soluble fluorapatite, reducing acid dissolution.
- C. Fluoride does not permanently change salivary pH.
- D. Fluoride does not work by increasing salivary flow.
Note: The recall phrased this as 'decreases solubility of calcium phosphate' — i.e., fluorapatite is less acid-soluble than hydroxyapatite.
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