Dental fluorosis is an increasing problem, yet the precise mechanism by which fluoride exerts its effects remains obscure. In the present study, we have used atomic force microscopy to image and quantitate surface features of enamel crystals isolated from specific developmental stages of fluorotic and control rat incisors. The results showed a significant decrease in crystal surface roughness with development in control tissue. Crystals from fluorotic tissue were significantly rougher than controls at all stages of development, did not decrease in roughness during the later stages of their development and had many morphological abnormalities. These data clearly demonstrate an effect for fluoride on enamel crystal surfaces which could reflect changes in the nature and distribution of growth sites and/or in mineral–matrix interactions. These would be expected to affect crystal growth during maturation, resulting in the characteristic porous appearance of fluorotic lesions in mature teeth.