Strictly speaking,<unk>  repairs rather than prevents damage to the teeth, causing the mineral fluorapatite to be incorporated into damaged tooth enamel. Fluorapatite is not a natural component of human teeth, although it is found in the teeth of sharks. The main mineral found in natural tooth enamel is hydroxyapatite rather than the fluorapatite created in the presence of<unk> . Even without<unk> , teeth experience alternating increases and decreases in mineral content, depending upon how acidic or alkaline the mouth is, and depending upon the concentration of other substances in the mouth, such as phosphate and calcium.<unk>  reduces the decay of tooth enamel by the formation of fluorapatite and its incorporation into the dental enamel. The<unk>  ions reduce the rate of tooth enamel demineralization and increase the rate of remineralization of teeth at the early stages of cavities.<unk>  exerts these effects by the demineralization and remineralization cycle. The remineralization cycle, critical to decay prevention, occurs when<unk>  is present in the oral cavity. After<unk>  is swallowed it has a minimal effect.<unk>  ions are involved in three principal reactions of remineralization: # Iso-ionic exchange of F− for OH− in apatite: Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 + 2F− → Ca10(PO4)6F2 + 2OH− # Crystal growth of fluorapatite from a supersaturated solution: 10 Ca2+ + 6PO43− + 2F− → Ca10(PO4)6F2 # Apatite dissolution with CaF2 formation: Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 + 20F− → 10 CaF2 + 6PO43− + 2OH− Iso-ionic exchange by the replacement of F− for OH¯ in apatite and crystal growth of fluorapatite from supersaturated solutions are able to occur during exposure to low levels of<unk>  (0.01-10 ppm F) over long periods of time. Reaction of apatite dissolution with CaF2 formation occurs in higher levels of<unk>  (100-10,000 ppm F) and the addition of CaF2 or a CaF2 containing compound.<unk> 's effect on oral microflora and the significance of this effect on<unk> 's overall effectiveness against cavities does not currently have a consensus. Many studies on bacterial cells in laboratories have shown the<unk>  has many effects on them as an antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial effects require concentrations of<unk>  at least 10 ppm F, which only occurs briefly in the mouth with oral<unk> -containing products. A study looked at<unk> 's effects on oral microflora and concluded that<unk>  may not solely interact as an antimicrobial agent, acting additionally to reduce bacterial adhesion to teeth, along with the primary action of decreasing demineralization. Further investigation will need to be done to verify these claims.<unk>  can be delivered by many chemical methods (sodium<unk> , stannous<unk> , amine<unk> , monofluorophosphate, and more). The anti-caries performance differences between them have been shown to have less effect than variations in behavior shown by individuals in brushing, using<unk>  products and post use behavior. Often the chemical form of<unk>  is driven by compatibility with the other elements mixed with, price, and such. All<unk> tion methods provide low concentrations of<unk>  ions in saliva, thus exerting a topical effect on the plaque fluid.<unk>  does not prevent cavities but rather controls the rate at which they develop, and so repeated exposure throughout the day is essential for its effective function. The more constant the supply the more beneficial<unk>  will be in cavity prevention.
Fluoride therapy
Targeted therapy
Monoclonal antibody therapy
Stereotactic radiation therapy
Carboxytherapy
Radionuclide therapy
Chemoradiotherapy
Radiation therapy