Caries is a multifactorial chronic disease that affects all age groups. It occurs as the result of the mutual interaction of the so­called factors of dental caries: host and tooth, causative agent (microflora), environment in a broader and narrower sense, and the duration of interaction of the above­mentioned factors. Proper oral hygiene with the use of fluoride­based products greatly helps in prevention of the formation of dental plaque and, consequently, the caries itself. Dental plaque refers to a soft accumulation of living and non­living accumulated bacteria that firmly adhere to the tooth surface and are the main prerequisite for the formation of carious lesions. The most important pathogens associated with caries are streptococci, actinomycetes and lactobacilli which share the ability to ferment low­molecular carbohydrates in dental plaque. Saliva participates in oral cleaning and its reduced excretion also contributes to the breakdown of hard dental tissues. Caries prevention is based on the removal of dental plaque and providing fluorides the access to the place of the initial lesion, the optimal amount of which is low and constant both in saliva and on the tooth surface.