Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste: Benefits, Brands and More
Table of Contents
- What Is Hydroxyapatite?
- What Is Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste?
- Uses
- How to Use
- Benefits
- Side Effects
- Is It Safe?
- Best Brands
Brushing your teeth with toothpaste is the most basic and common form of dental hygiene. Most toothpaste contains fluoride, which fights harmful bacteria and promotes healthy teeth enamel. The advent of hydroxyapatite toothpaste is giving toothpaste manufacturers a reason to market the anti-cavity paste.
For decades, the key ingredient in cavity-fighting toothpaste has been fluoride, or sodium fluoride. But the active ingredient in hydroxyapatite toothpaste is this mineral is a form of calcium apatite, which is composed of calcium, oxygen and phosphorus.
The medical community is already using hydroxyapatite to coat stainless steel and titanium implants to lessen the chance of body rejection.
What Is Hydroxyapatite?
Hydroxyapatite (HA or HAP) is a naturally occurring mineral that makes up about 60 percent of your bones and 97 percent of your teeth. The mineral is a form of calcium apatite and is composed of calcium, oxygen and phosphorus.
Hydroxyapatite is extremely strong and is what gives your teeth their natural strength. Because of its unique qualities, doctors like to use it for osteopathic patients to help strengthen their bones.
Many toothpaste manufacturers have started incorporating the mineral into toothpaste to help strengthen users’ teeth.
What Is Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste?
As its name suggests, hydroxyapatite toothpaste is one that is enriched with hydroxyapatite. While most toothpaste brands still use fluoride as an ingredient in toothpaste, hydroxyapatite is growing in popularity.
Numerous brands have switched from fluoride as a key ingredient to hydroxyapatite. Others have created a new line of toothpaste with hydroxyapatite as the key ingredient. Because of its benefits to your teeth and general dental hygiene, you can expect to see more brands switching to the compound.
Common Hydroxyapatite Uses
While hydroxyapatite is mostly used in toothpaste, medical professional can (and do) use it in other applications. Stainless steel and titanium implants are sometimes coated with the mineral. This tricks the body into accepting and incorporating the implant, thereby reducing the chance of implant rejection.
Bone defects and bone voids can also benefit from hydroxyapatite. When applied in powder, bead or block form, the mineral encourages bone growth and speeds up the healing process.
How to Use Hydroxyapatite
When using hydroxyapatite for dental hygiene, the best way to reap the benefits of the compound is through brushing. Since you likely won’t find the hydroxyapatite in its isolated natural state, you can instead use hydroxyapatite toothpaste.
Hydroxyapatite toothpaste can reverse and prevent cavities by strengthening teeth enamel. When you’re brushing with hydroxyapatite, you should leave it on your teeth without rinsing. Because the mineral is biomimetic, the body will recognize it as a natural substance that should be there.
Benefits of Using Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste?
The sheer number of toothpaste brands switching to hydroxyapatite proves its benefits to your teeth and dental health. Some of these benefits are:
It prevents and reverses cavities. Hydroxyapatite increases the macro hardness of the enamel. This prevents enamel erosion and damage. Continuous use of hydroxyapatite toothpaste can reverse the effects of tooth cavities.
It whitens your teeth. While hydroxyapatite does not adjust the polishing activity of your toothpaste, using hydroxyapatite toothpaste can brighten your teeth. Hydroxyapatite adds a whitening component not otherwise seen with other toothpaste.
It decreases tooth sensitivity. Hydroxyapatite can help reduce teeth sensitivity by strengthening the enamel. Your teeth become sensitive when the enamel is worn out and the roots are exposed. Since hydroxyapatite strengthens the teeth, the exposed parts are It promotes a healthy oral microbiome. Most toothpaste, including fluoride ones, eliminate both the good and bad bacteria in the mouth. However, hydroxyapatite doesn’t kill off the helpful bacteria that protect your teeth.
It stabilizes the mouth’s alkalinity. Your mouth’s pH should always be slightly alkaline to prevent oral disease and inflammation. Hydroxyapatite is resistant to acidic pH and passes on this quality to the teeth.
Side Effects of Using Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste
There are a few instances of people experiencing an allergic reaction to hydroxyapatite toothpaste. However, these instances are rare as the mineral is biomimetic.
Is Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste Safe?
When used in high doses, fluoride toothpaste can be a neurotoxicant, meaning it can have toxic effects on your brain. Hydroxyapatite toothpaste, on the other hand, is biocompatible and non-toxic, meaning is completely safe to use.
Best Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste Brands
If you have specific concerns, you can consult with your dental service provider and get prescription hydroxyapatite toothpaste. However, if you are just looking to switch your toothpaste, you can buy most brands over the counter. Here are a few brands of hydroxyapatite toothpastes:
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally, there is no discernable taste difference between hydroxyapatite and fluoride toothpaste. The taste will likely depend on the toothpaste brand.
Yes, hydroxyapatite toothpaste does work in strengthening and remineralizing your teeth. Using hydroxyapatite toothpaste ensures there’s little-to-no wear on the tough enamel layer of the tooth.
Fluoride has long been the staple ingredient in toothpaste. While it does help clean your mouth, it kills good bacteria and can be harmful when ingested in considerable doses. Hydroxyapatite, on the other hand, keeps your teeth clean and strong, cultivates a healthy pH in the mouth, and is very safe to use.
From an objective standpoint, the benefits of using hydroxyapatite far outweigh those of fluoride toothpaste.