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Fluorapatite (Ca5(PO4)3F) is a fluorinated calcium phospate. This sample is on display in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. The sample size is about 5 cm; it also includes quartz crystals. Calcium phosphate in the form hydroxyapatite is the material from which teeth are made, and fluoridation of water is presumed to turn some of that calcium phosphate into fluorapatite. Fluorapatite is considerably harder than hydroxyapatite and is thought to provide a measure of protection against tooth decay.
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