This document discusses the historical evolution and use of fluorides for dental caries prevention. It begins with early discoveries of fluoride in enamel in 1805 and the isolation of fluorine as an element in 1771. It then covers fluoride chemistry, sources of fluoride intake from water, food, beverages and air. The document discusses fluoride metabolism, distribution in tissues, and excretion. It also addresses water fluoridation, which began in 1945 in Grand Rapids, USA and defines water fluoridation as the controlled adjustment of fluoride in communal water to maximize caries prevention with minimal fluorosis risk.