Fluoride Therapies in Caries Prevention: An Updated Evidence Review

Dental caries remains a major global oral health problem, and fluoride therapy continues to be the most effective and evidence-based preventive strategy.This review evaluated the mechanisms, delivery methods, clinical effectiveness, safety, and recent advances in fluoride therapies for caries prevention.Fluoride enhances enamel remineralization, inhibits demineralization, and suppresses cariogenic bacterial activity.Systemic fluoride methods such as water fluoridation and topical therapies including fluoridated dentifrices, varnishes, gels, foams, mouth rinses, and high-fluoride toothpastes have demonstrated significant reductions in caries prevalence.Silver diamine fluoride has also emerged as an effective minimally invasive option for arresting active carious lesions.Although fluoride is highly effective, proper dosage and supervised use are important to minimize the risk of dental fluorosis.Recent advances involving fluoride-releasing materials, calcium-phosphate systems, and personalized risk-based approaches are further improving preventive outcomes.Overall, fluoride therapies remain the cornerstone of modern caries prevention and support sustainable, minimally invasive oral healthcare strategies.