Pharmacology · single question
Mechanism of action of fluoride?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Decreases calcium phosphate (hydroxyapatite) dissolution
- A. Correct. Fluoride incorporates into enamel as fluorapatite, which is less soluble in acid, decreasing demineralization (dissolution) and promoting remineralization; it also inhibits bacterial enzymes.
- B. Fluoride actually inhibits bacterial enolase, decreasing acid production, the opposite of this statement.
- C. Fluoride promotes (not inhibits) remineralization.
- D. Fluoride decreases enamel solubility/porosity, not increases it.