Every day and every meal, your teeth undergo a process of demineralization and remineralization.
Demineralization is the process by which your teeth lose minerals. Bacteria in your mouth feed on the sugars in the diet you consume, thereby producing acids that wear away the minerals in your teeth.
Remineralization repairs the loss of minerals. It hardens the enamel of your teeth, which softened under the attack of acids. Your body has a natural process to help with that repair and stop mineral loss. This happens when saliva fills tiny cracks created through demineralization. This helps prevent the cracks from widening and enables bacteria to get through, which can ultimately produce cavities.
Fluoride can help with the remineralization process, which is why it is added to toothpaste, mouthwash, and some city tap water.
However, another compound is gaining in popularity: nano-hydroxyapatite. When added to toothpaste, nano-hydroxyapatite forms a barrier on the surfaces of your teeth that repels the sugars and acids that wear away the minerals of your teeth.
How does nano-hydroxyapatite work?
Your teeth are composed of several layers. The hard outer layer is known as enamel. Underneath that is a hard tissue called dentin.
When you get down below the gum line, there’s another hard substance called cementum that covers and protects the roots. These hard tissues are composed of a blend of inorganic and organic substances.
Most of the inorganic part is made of phosphate and calcium ions that create strong nano-hydroxyapatite crystals. As you eat, the crystals allow your teeth to withstand the forces of:
- chewing
- crunching
- grinding
The hydroxyapatite in toothpaste is a synthetic version of cementum. Using it has several benefits:
- Antibacterial properties: Bacteria can lead to tooth decay. They prevent acid from breaking down the traces of food and drink that remain in your mouth when you don’t brush after a meal, and that acid begins dissolving the enamel on your teeth.
- Food waste elimination: As with any toothpaste, you’re physically sweeping away the residue of food and bacteria that are lingering in your mouth.
A 2017 in vitro showed that this toothpaste forms a barrier against bacteria to protect your teeth, making it more resistant to plaque. And the toothpaste helps fill in those tiny cracks or fissures that develop in your teeth during demineralization, so the bacteria can’t work their way down into your teeth.
Decrease in Sensitivity
If you have sensitive teeth, nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste may make your teeth feel less sensitive, since it strengthens your enamel. And nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste may restore your enamel as well.
A 2013 study showed that your dental enamel is perhaps the hardest substance in your body. But it’s not invulnerable. The following can gradually chip away at enamel:
- eating
- Injuries
- aging
- other processes
Once the enamel is gone, you can’t get it back. But you can increase the mineral content of the remaining enamel, which strengthens it, and that’s what remineralization does.
Using toothpaste with nano-hydroxyapatite does appear to help remineralize your teeth. Your teeth absorb the hydroxyapatite and use it to rebuild enamel.
In fact, a 2019 lab study found that hydroxyapatite toothpaste was as effective as toothpaste with fluoride at preventing demineralization and at remineralizing the early signs of cavities.
The double-blind randomized study above suggested that a nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste could be a useful tool for people at a high risk of developing cavities because it can promote remineralization without adding extra fluoride. It eliminates the worry about the toxicity that comes with higher doses of fluoride.
Does nano-hydroxyapatite have side effects like fluoride?
There may be rare cases of someone experiencing an allergic reaction. But to date, there is no evidence that indicates a likelihood of experiencing any side effects from using toothpaste with hydroxyapatite. A 2019 study showed that toothpaste with hydroxyapatite is not likely to irritate your teeth and mouth, and it does not seem to pose any safety concerns.
This is all good news for improving your overall oral health while minimizing the toxic side effects of too much fluoride exposure.