Tooth enamel is made up of which one of the following calcium

Tooth enamel is made up of which one of the following calcium compounds?

Calcium carbonate
Calcium sulphate
Calcium hydroxide
Calcium phosphate
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2019
Tooth enamel is primarily made up of calcium phosphate in the form of crystalline hydroxyapatite.
– Tooth enamel is the outermost protective layer of the tooth.
– It is the hardest substance in the human body, mainly due to its high mineral content.
– The main mineral component is hydroxyapatite, which is a complex form of calcium phosphate with the chemical formula Ca₅(PO₄)₃(OH).
While calcium phosphate is the general type of compound, the specific crystalline structure is hydroxyapatite. Other forms of calcium phosphate exist, but hydroxyapatite is the key mineral in bones and teeth. Acids produced by bacteria in the mouth can dissolve the hydroxyapatite crystals, leading to tooth decay. Fluoride can help strengthen enamel by incorporating into the crystal structure, forming fluoroapatite, which is less soluble in acid.
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