Good oral health is crucial to your overall wellness, and maintaining a healthy smile requires proper oral care and effective dental products. One innovative ingredient that has gained prominence in recent years is hydroxyapatite. Although relatively uncommon in drugstore brands’ toothpaste, hydroxyapatite is now common in natural oral care products.
But is it an effective alternative to regular fluoride toothpaste? Is it worth the extra cost? And, more importantly, will it prevent tooth cavities?
What is hydroxyapatite?
Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is a naturally occurring type of calcium that constitutes approximately 65% of your body’s bones and teeth. It forms hexagonal crystals that form a lattice with collagen and phosphates, making your bones sturdy and stable.
Hydroxyapatite calcium is essential for bone remineralization and regeneration.
Hydroxyapatite in oral health
Your teeth are primarily made of calcium. Hydroxyapatite is abundant in the two outer, hardest layers of the tooth: dentin, which protects the roots and nerve endings, and tooth enamel, which encases the tooth.
Hydroxyapatite crystals make up almost 90% of enamel, giving it its white color and hardness. Biocompatible hydroxyapatite in oral care products can help prevent or reverse tooth decay.
Is hydroxyapatite safe?
Most international agencies consider hydroxyapatite safe for oral care products as long as it’s used in the right concentrations. For example, the European Union states that concentrations up to 10% are safe for fluoride-free toothpaste or up to 0.46% for mouthwash.
With that said, not all hydroxyapatites are the same, and some studies show that nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA) shouldn’t be used in spray products that may be accidentally inhaled, although it’s safe to swallow.
Hydroxyapatite for dental bone grafts
Advanced gum disease (periodontitis), a traumatic accident, or complex tooth extraction can all damage the bones in your jaw. To restore bone density and prevent further deterioration, we can turn to dental bone grafts.
Traditionally, bone grafts use human bone from either the patient or a donor bank. However, this can be expensive and may require the patient to have an additional procedure to harvest the bone.
Thanks to synthetic bone-like substances, bone grafts are now significantly more straightforward. Hydroxyapatite-based composites are one of the best substitutes for human bone.
What is hydroxyapatite toothpaste?
Over the past few years, nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste has become more popular as a fluoride-free natural toothpaste. It is effective in remineralizing enamel, reversing tooth decay, and as a whitening agent.
There are many hydroxyapatite toothpaste brands, and it’s often found in toothpastes for sensitive teeth or those made with all-natural ingredients. Hydroxyapatite toothpaste formulations often include calcium carbonate, xanthan gum, xylitol, potassium, and hydrated silica to whiten and re-enamelize teeth and peppermint oil (mentha piperita) for fresh breath.
Hydroxyapatite vs. fluoride toothpaste: Which is better?
For decades, fluoride toothpaste has been the gold standard for preventing cavities and maintaining your periodontal health. But the famous “9 in 10 dentists recommend” slogan that appears on every toothpaste tube ignores available alternatives.
Although hydroxyapatite and fluoride both protect the teeth, they don’t act in the same way. Fluoride hardens the existing enamel, whereas hydroxyapatite nanoparticles enter the microscopic cracks in the enamel and remineralize it, effectively creating a new layer of enamel.
A high-quality hydroxyapatite toothpaste is just as effective as one containing fluoride. But any toothpaste is only as good as your dental hygiene routine, so floss regularly and use a quality toothbrush.
Nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste is excellent if you’re suffering from tooth sensitivity, reducing pain in as little as two days.
Some people prefer hAP toothpastes because they’re “all-natural” and use “clean ingredients.” Hydroxyapatite toothpaste is generally advertised as paraben-free, SLS-free (free from sodium lauryl sulfate), and made with non-GMO glycerin.
However, Fluoride toothpastes are cheaper than hydroxyapatite toothpastes, which retail for between $9 and $19.
Fluoride is also an antibacterial agent, keeping your oral microbiome balanced and preventing bad breath.
Looking for top dental care in Los Angeles? MD Periodontics welcomes you
As one of the top providers of quality dental care in Southern California, we at MD Periodontics strive to support every aspect of your oral and dental health.
Award-winning doctors Abdy Moshrefi, DDS, and Nazanin Daneshmand, DDS, lead our team. They are both board-certified in periodontics and implantology.
Schedule an appointment online or call (310) 859-9449. Your smile (and gums) will thank you!
We are conveniently located to patients throughout Southern California and the Los Angeles area. Our Beverly Hills office is conveniently located near West Los Angeles, Culver City, West Hollywood, Downtown Los Angeles, Marina del Rey, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Sherman Oaks, and Encino.
