Final answer:
Fluoride is essential for dental health as it forms fluorapatite in tooth enamel, making it resistant to acid and less soluble. It has antimicrobial properties and aids in the remineralization process of teeth, commonly found in toothpaste and drinking water.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fluoride plays a key role in neutralizing acids and provides minerals and proteins that protect the teeth. Fluoride ions help protect our teeth by reacting with hydroxyapatite, a component of tooth enamel, to form fluorapatite, Ca5(PO4)3F. This new form lacks a hydroxide ion, making it more resistant to acid attacks and less soluble. As a result, fluorapatite offers a durable layer of protection for our teeth against decay. Fluoride is commonly found in toothpastes, mouthwashes, and is added to drinking water because of its cavity-preventing properties.
Fluoride also possesses antimicrobial properties, inhibiting bacterial metabolism, hence reducing the production of acid and promoting the remineralization of the teeth. Regular fluoride exposure through brushing with fluoride toothpaste and drinking fluoridated water helps to maintain dental health by reinforcing tooth enamel and making it less susceptible to decay.