Tooth decay is progressive, but if caught early enough by your dentist, it can be reversed. Tooth decay is essentially the demineralization of tooth enamel. When fluoride is added to your routine, it combines with calcium and phosphate in your saliva to form a mineral called fluorapatite. The fluorapatite gets into the pores of your teeth and hardens the enamel. The key to successfully reversing tooth decay is catching it early enough to treat it, long before you feel any pain. This is why twice yearly visits to our office are essential.