fluoride toothpaste

Fluoride toothpaste is a topical oral care preparation containing fluoride ions, typically in the form of sodium fluoride (NaF) or sodium monofluorophosphate, used primarily for the prevention of dental caries. Developed and marketed by GSK (and its consumer healthcare spin-off Haleon), these products function by delivering fluoride to the tooth surface to promote the remineralization of enamel and inhibit demineralization caused by acid-producing oral bacteria. The fluoride ions incorporate into the dental hydroxyapatite structure to form fluorapatite, which is significantly more resistant to acid dissolution. Additionally, fluoride can interfere with the glycolytic pathway of cariogenic bacteria such as *Streptococcus mutans* by inhibiting key enzymes like enolase. In clinical trials conducted by GSK, these formulations are often evaluated in *in situ* caries models to measure their efficacy in recovering surface microhardness of demineralized enamel.

Brand names

SensodyneAquafreshPronamelMacleansParodontax

Other names

Sodium fluoride toothpasteFluoridated dentifrice