September 17, 2024

Hydroxy-what? Move Over, Fluoride — There's a New Mineral in Town

Get to know hydroxyapatite — and what it can do for your teeth

It’s a mouthful to pronounce – and it’s the cool new kid on the block when it comes to your teeth and strengthening the enamel on them. (Plus, reducing sensitivity and keeping your toothpaste free of fluoride!)

You might have started to see hydroxyapatite mentioned in natural health circles but did you know it has astronaut origins?

NASA scientists first looked into hydroxyapatite in the 1970s as a potential solution for the tooth demineralization that NASA astronauts were experiencing on prolonged space expeditions. Today, hydroxyapatite is gaining popularity as an oral care powerhouse renowned for its ability to strengthen enamel, reduce sensitivity, and whiten teeth naturally.

Let’s delve into the science behind hydroxyapatite and learn what to look for when choosing hydroxyapatite oral care products.

What is hydroxyapatite?

Hydroxyapatite is a naturally occurring mineral that makes up the bulk of your teeth and bones. It’s a mix of phosphorus and calcium ions – and it comprises 97% of the enamel that forms the outermost layer of your teeth, playing a crucial role in keeping your teeth strong and healthy.

In use for years to fill cavities and form dental implants, hydroxyapatite has been showing up recently in natural toothpaste because it can offer a new level of protection against everyday wear and tear on your teeth. An unexpected bonus? Hydroxyapatite is also a natural teeth whitener, offering all the benefits of a brighter smile without the harsh bleaching agents that can contribute to thinning enamel.

Why your teeth lose minerals

Tooth enamel is the hardest material in the human body, but it can and does erode over time. Plenty of factors contribute to this enamel loss:

chewing food
clenching and grinding
brushing too hard

Eating and drinking sugary or acidic foods and sodas is another big culprit, as this can lead to a build-up of acid-causing bacteria (and plaque, which is a biofilm) that causes tooth decay.

All this erosion weakens the overall structure of your teeth, leaving you more susceptible to cavities, cracks, and chipping, as well as sensitive teeth.

Ever get a sharp, sudden jolt of pain that feels like somebody touched a nerve deep in your jaw? Tooth sensitivity occurs when the enamel wears down enough in certain spots to expose the layer of the tooth that lies just beneath the enamel, known as dentin. (The innermost layer of your tooth, below dentin, is called the pulp). This exposure can cause your teeth to become painfully sensitive to hot, cold, and sweet foods or even just blasts of air.

A remineralizing wonder

And that’s where hydroxyapatite can help!

Hydroxyapatite toothpastes work by adding a layer of calcium and phosphate minerals to the surface of the teeth, which your teeth absorb (hydroxyapatite is biocompatible, meaning your body recognizes and knows what to do with it) and use to rebuild dentin and enamel. Your saliva, which contains calcium and phosphate, also helps to naturally create hydroxyapatite – aiding the remineralization process.

As hydroxyapatite binds to your teeth and thinning enamel is remineralized, teeth become stronger and more resistant to decay.

The remineralization process also smooths and fills in tiny cracks and divots, which creates more naturally light-reflective surfaces on the tooth. Less of the underlying dentin (which naturally has a yellowish hue) is visible, making teeth appear whiter and brighter.

A natural alternative to fluoride

Fluoride (a remineralizing element) has been the go-to ingredient for cavity prevention for decades. But fluoride has long raised concerns about its impact on health.

For starters, too much fluoride at a young age can cause dental fluorosis, a condition that causes enamel to become permanently discolored.^1,2 Too much fluoride is also known to cause skeletal fluorosis, a serious bone condition that’s often associated with long-term exposure to high amounts of fluoride in well water.³

Even exposure to moderate amounts of fluoride has been raising concerns. One 2024 study from the US Department of Health and Human Services found a link between higher levels of fluoride consumption and lower IQ in children.⁴

The bottom line, according to the Center for Disease Control, is that fluoride consumed in high amounts is toxic.⁵ So, why would you want to brush your teeth with it?

This is where hydroxyapatite – which is non-toxic – offers a promising alternative.

But before you buy your new toothpaste, here’s one last thing to look for when evaluating hydroxyapatite.

Two forms, twice the benefits?

As a toothpaste ingredient, hydroxyapatite comes in two different forms: micro-hydroxyapatite and nano-hydroxyapatite. The main difference between the two is the size of the mineral particles that are deposited on the teeth.

Micro-hydroxyapatite works on the surface level, strengthening the enamel and providing a protective barrier against acids and bacteria.;
Nano-hydroxyapatite, with its incredibly small mineral particles, can penetrate beyond the enamel and into the deeper dentin layer of your teeth. This deeper penetration helps remineralize teeth and reduce sensitivity from within.

Toothpastes that incorporate both micro and nano hydroxyapatite can offer broader protection, strengthening teeth by helping to remineralize both the enamel and dentin layers – leading to more resilient enamel and healthier, whiter teeth overall.

Is hydroxyapatite right for you?

If you’re looking to:

remineralize your teeth
reduce sensitivity
find an alternative to fluoride

then hydroxyapatite toothpaste might be the perfect fit!

A good hydroxyapatite toothpaste can be used daily in place of your regular toothpaste. (For maximum benefit, try to leave the toothpaste on your teeth as long as possible to give the hydroxyapatite time to work its magic.)

If you’re more concerned with bleeding gums, bad breath, and balancing your oral microbiome, you might want to start first with a daily toothpaste formulated specifically to help balance your oral microbiome. Then alternate with a hydroxyapatite toothpaste to cover all your oral care bases.

Not sure which toothpaste is right for you?

Take our quiz to zero in on the products we recommend to improve your oral care routine and keep your smile looking bright.

Resources:

Professional Benefits