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1 . 3 . Detailed response Cariologists recognize two biological mechanisms by which fluoride affects the dental caries process . l a ) The pre - eruptive mechanism occurs when fluoride from the bloodstream is incorporated into a developing tooth , altering its mineral structure, making it more resistant to acid - dissolution when the tooth later erupts . Because most calcification of the primary teeth occurs in utero, the contribution of the pre - eruptive mechanism to caries prevention in the primary dentition is dependent predominantly on the amount of fluoride ingested by the mother during pregnancy . In contrast, most of the mineralization of developing permanent teeth occurs from birth to about eight years of age, and hence the contribution of the pre - eruptive mechanism to caries prevention in the permanent dentition is dependent predominantly on the amount of fluoride ingested during early childhood . b ) The post- eruptive mechanism occurs when fluoride in the mouth comes into contact with erupted teeth . This is aided by fluoride ' s affinity for dental biofilm ( i . e . , " dental plaque " , the film of salivary components that adhere to a tooth surface and the microbes that grow in the film ) . Fluoride is selectively concentrated in biofilm affecting two processes critical to dental caries : ( i ) fluoride in biofilm inhibits acid - demineralization of enamel and increases the efficacy of re - mineralization , and ( ii ) fluoride in biofilm inhibits bacterial enzymes, and hence acid production by those bacteria . The contribution of these post-eruptive mechanisms to caries prevention potentially can occur from the moment of tooth eruption and throughout life . 1 . 3 . 1 Methods of administrating fluoride for caries prevention Fluoride consumed via drinking water or in beverages and foods containing water is often characterized as a "systemic" method of administration because the intention is that the fluoride be swallowed . (That same is true for fluoride delivered in tablets, supplements, and in fortified salt and milk . ) Alternatively, fluoride in toothpaste is often characterized as a "topical' method of administration because the intention is that it be spat out, not swallowed , after use . (The same is true for fluoride delivered in mouth rinse and professionally-applied products . ) 1 . 3. 2 . Method of administration does not neatly distinguish between biological mechanisms of action Most of the fluoride administered in drinking water or in foods or beverages prepared with fluoridated water is swallowed . At first appearance , this, suggests that its caries prevention via this mode of administration is due solely to pre-eruptive effects of the fluoride . However, that is a misnomer for two main reasons : • some of the fluoride is not swallowed ; instead , it is concentrated in the biofilm of erupted teeth in the mouth during consumption ; and • when ingested on a daily basis, the consumed fluoride increases the concentration of fluoride in circulating plasma which , in turn , increases the concentration of fluoride in the saliva , 2 with the fluoride then being concentrated in the biofilm of erupted teeth in the mouth .