Ammonium hexafluorosilicate is a white crystalline solid. Corrodes aluminum. Used as a disinfectant, in etching glass, metal casting, and electroplating. Ammonium hexafluorosilicate is useful for the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity, since ammonium hexafluorosilicate induced calcium phosphate precipitation from the saliva; therefore, it has a continuous effect on dentin tubules occlusion under a simulated oral environment. Ammonium hexafluorosilicate has been applied to arrest caries without discoloration. The major use of sodium hexafluorosilicate and fluorosilicic acid is as fluoridation agents for drinking water. Sodium hexafluorosilicate has also been used for caries control as part of asilicophosphate cement, an acidic gel in combination with monocalcium phosphate monohydrate,and a two-solution fluoride mouth rinse. Both chemicals are also used as a chemical intermediate (raw material) for aluminum trifluoride, cryolite (Na3AlF6), silicon tetrafluoride,and other fluorosilicates and have found applications in commercial laundry. Other applications for sodium hexafluorosilicate include its use in enamels/enamel frits for china and porcelain, in opalescent glass, metallurgy (aluminum and beryllium), glue, ore flotation, leather and wood preservatives, and in insecticides and rodenticides. It has been used in the manufacture of pure silicon, as a gelling agent in the production of molded latex foam, and as afluorinating agent in organic synthesis to convert organodichlorophosphorus compounds to the corresponding organodifluorophosphorus compound. In veterinary practice, external applicationof sodium hexafluorosilicate combats lice and mosquitoes on cattle, sheep, swine, and poultry, and oral administration combats roundworms and possibly whipworms in swine and prevents dental caries in rats. Apparently, all pesticidal products had their registrations cancelled or they were discontinued by the early 1990s