this article presents a review of the current vision about dental caries, and microorganisms associated to the development of dental caries. mechanisms of dental caries lesion, the role of fluoride through its mechanisms of action: demineralization, remineralization and antibacterial action. a scheme of the metabolism of fluorides, absorption, distribution and excretion is presented. some considerations about the initiation of the natural water fluoridation program in the world, and about the threshold dose of fluoride, and dental fluorosis.
