The fluoride content of human tooth enamel in relation to environmental exposure to fluoride

Double-layer superimposed biopsies were used for sampling sound labial enamel of upper permanent central incisor teeth of 189 children (mean age 8.4 years, SD = 0.36), comprising five groups, representing life-long exposure to contrasting concentrations of F in the water (range less than or equal to 0.12 ppm to 2.8 ppm) and to supplements of 200 or 350 mg F/kg domestic salt. The mean F concentrations of enamel ranged through the groups from 924 ppm to 2401 ppm in the surface layer (average central depth = 0.49 micron) and from 450 ppm to 1428 ppm in the subsurface layer (average central depth = 2.62 microns). The differences between the mean F concentrations of the groups were significant in each instance and the values consistently reflected the extent of F exposure. It was concluded that the F content of enamel is a reliable indicator of environmental exposure to F for populations, but not for every individual.