Teeth are the most studied body tissues to examine the impact of fluoride to human health. There are a few possible mechanisms that have been proposed. It is generally believed that the hypomineralization of affected enamel is mainly due to in-situ toxic effects of the fluoride on the ameloblasts in the enamel formation, and not caused by the general effects of fluoride on the calcium metabolism, or by the poisoning effects that suppress the fluoride metabolism. However, despite decades of research and studies, there have yet to be any studies that substantiates the believed mechanism whereby<unk>  is a result of alteration in the mineralisation that takes place when fluroide interacts with mineralising tissues. In the extra-cellular environment of maturing enamel, an excess of fluoride ions alters the rate at which enamel matrix proteins (amelogenin) are enzymatically broken down and the rate at which the subsequent breakdown products are removed. Fluoride may also indirectly alter the action of protease via a decrease in the availability of free calcium ions in the mineralization environment. This results in the formation of enamel with less mineralization. This hypomineralized enamel has altered optical properties and appears opaque and lusterless relative to normal enamel. Traditionally severe<unk>  has been described as enamel hypoplasia, however, hypoplasia does not occur as a result of<unk> . The pits, bands, and loss of areas of enamel seen in severe<unk>  are the result of damage to the severely hypomineralized, brittle and fragile enamel which occurs after they erupt into the mouth. Hydroxyapatite is converted to fluoroapatite in a three step process.<unk>  can be prevented at a population level through defluoridation. It is the downward adjustment of the level of fluoride in drinking water.
Dental fluorosis
Skeletal fluorosis
Chronic periodontitis
Oral candidiasis
Dental plaque
Dental abscess
Periodontal disease
Ebullism