Restorative materials such as conventional glass ionomer cement (CGIC), resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC), polyacid-modified composite resin (compomer), and giomer have the properties of fluoride release and refill, which may prevent or slow down the progression of caries. The caries resistance of these materials was evaluated according to the following criteria: fluorine-releasing ability, antibacterial activity, mechanical properties and anti-aging properties. The anti-caries effect of these materials mainly depends on the effect of fluoride ions on mineralization. However, materials with strong fluorine release ability, such as CGIC, are mainly used in pediatric dentistry and temporary restoration due to their poor mechanical properties. It is difficult to achieve both fluoride ion release potential and mechanical strength, and there are few materials that can provide ideal mechanical strength while maintaining a high standard of fluoride release. The fluoride releasing and recharging capacity of CGIC, RMGIC, compomer and giomer decrease successively. The trend of material modification, to a certain extent, tends to sacrifice the fluoride release capacity of materials to maintain the ideal mechanical strength. In recent years, scholars have tried to add a variety of fillers to further enhance the anti-cracking ability of materials and add antibacterial agents to compensate for the anti-caries effect to reduce the loss of fluoride release.