Editing Tooth enamel (section)

==== Fluoride in drinking water ====
Most dental professionals and organizations agree that the inclusion of fluoride in public water has been one of the most effective methods of decreasing the prevalence of tooth decay.<ref>"one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century": [https://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/ Community Water Fluoridation – Oral Health]; [https://www.cdc.gov/about/history/tengpha.htm Ten Great Public Health Achievements in the 20th Century] – CDC</ref> Fluoride can be found in many locations naturally, such as the ocean and other water sources. The recommended dosage of fluoride in [[drinking water]] does not depend on air temperature.<ref name="U.S. Public Health Service Recommendation for Fluoride Concentration in Drinking Water for the Prevention of Dental Caries">{{cite journal |title=U.S. Public Health Service Recommendation for Fluoride Concentration in Drinking Water for the Prevention of Dental Caries |journal=Public Health Reports |volume=130 |issue=4 |pages=318–331 |publisher=U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Panel on Community Water Fluoridation |pmc=4547570 |year=2015 |author1=<!-- U.S. Department of Health Human Services Federal Panel on Community Water Fluoridation --> |pmid=26346489 |doi=10.1177/003335491513000408 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title= Fluoride in Drinking Water| publisher= Environmental Protection Agency| website= EPA.gov| url= http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/basicinformation/fluoride.cfm| date= 12 August 2015}}</ref>

Some groups have spoken out against [[Water fluoridation|fluoridated drinking water]], for reasons such as the [[neurotoxicity]] of fluoride or the damage fluoride can do as [[Dental fluorosis|fluorosis]]. Fluorosis is a condition resulting from the overexposure to fluoride, especially between the ages of 6&nbsp;months and 5&nbsp;years, and appears as mottled enamel.<ref name=":4" /> Consequently, the teeth look unsightly, although the incidence of dental decay in those teeth is very small. Where fluoride is found naturally in high concentrations, filters are often used to decrease the amount of fluoride in water. For this reason, codes have been developed by dental professionals to limit the amount of fluoride a person should take.<ref>{{cite journal |title= Caries diagnosis and risk assessment. A review of preventive strategies and management |journal= J Am Dent Assoc |volume=126 |issue=Suppl |pages=1S–24S |year=1995 |pmid=7790681 |doi=10.14219/jada.archive.1995.0371}}</ref> These codes are supported by the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

Furthermore, whereas topical fluoride, found in [[toothpaste]] and [[mouthwash]]es, does not cause fluorosis, its effects are now considered more important than those of systemic fluoride, such as when drinking fluorinated water.<ref>{{cite journal | author = Twetman S | date = Sep 2009 | title = Caries prevention with fluoride toothpaste in children: an update | journal = Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. | volume = 10 | issue = 3| pages = 162–167 | doi=10.1007/bf03262678| pmid = 19772846 | s2cid = 22227878 }}</ref> However, systemic fluoride works topically as well with fluoride levels in saliva increase also when drinking fluoridated water. Lately, dental professionals are looking for other ways to present fluoride (such as in varnish) or other mineralizing products such as [[Amorphous calcium phosphate]] to the community in the form of topical procedures, either done by professionals or self-administered. Mineralization of the incipient lesion instead of restoration later is a prime goal of most dental professionals.