Fluorine in Human Teeth Studied in Relation to Fluorine in the Drinking Water

Abstract

The teeth of individuals continuously exposed to drinking water containing 0.0-0.3 ppm. F may be expected to contain approx. 0.0100% F in the enamel and 0.0240% F in the dentin. A near dental-opt. quantity of F in Aurora, Ill., drinking water (i.e., 1.1-1.2 ppm.) resulted in 0.0133% F in the enamel and 0.0385% F in the dentin. These additional quantities of F in dentin and enamel are associated with a marked reduction in dental caries experience, but dental fluorosis is not an endemic health problem among such teeth. Data are presented to show the effect of other higher levels of F in drinking water on the F in human dentin and enamel.