| A | B |
|---|
| Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride | A fluoride compound with a pH of 3.5 that may etch pocelain |
| Over the counter (acronym) | O.T.C. |
| Demineralization | Breakdown of tooth structure with a loss of calcium and phosphorus |
| Parts per million (abbreviation) | PPM |
| Remineralization | Fluoride enhances this process, which returns minerals to the tooth |
| Fluoride varnish | A form of professional topical fluoride application that is easily applied to root surfaces and sets up in the presence of saliva |
| Hydroxyapatite | the form of apatite that is the principle mineral component of teeth, bones and calculus |
| Fluorapatite | the form of hydroxyapatite in which fluoride has replaced some of the hydroxyl ions; this apatite is less soluble and therefore more resistant to acids |
| Thixotropic | type of gel that sets in a gel-like state but becomes fluid under stress |
| Efficacy | a product that produces a statistically and clinically significant benefit under ideal testing conditions in carefully controlled clinical trials |
