Nanohydroxyapatite: Can It Replace Fluoride in Toothpaste?

While oral health is a significantly overlooked universal health challenge, nanohydroxyapatite, a relatively new compound, is rising in popularity among health-conscious individuals seeking fluoride alternatives in dental care.

People have used fluoride toothpaste for several decades in dental hygiene to fight and mitigate tooth decay formation.

Still, statistics show that untreated tooth decay in permanent teeth is the most prevalent universal health disease.

Does this not-so-new rookie, nanohydroxyapatite, work, or is it a marketing hoax? We’ll find out more.

In this article, we delve into nanohydroxyapatite, compare it to fluoride, discuss how it works, whether it’s better than fluoride, and answer other frequently asked questions about nanohydroxyapatite.

Nanohydroxyapatite: What it is

Nanohydroxyapatite(Nano-HAp) is a synthetic variety of hydroxyapatite; a naturally occurring calcium apatite mineral found in our teeth and bones that provides strength and firmness.

Unlike hydroxyapatite, nanohydroxyapatite boasts tinier particles, making it biocompatible for dental use and enamel remineralization.

These nanoparticles penetrate easily into microscopic enamel pores to strengthen and remineralize teeth.

What does remineralization of teeth mean?

Remineralization of teeth is the natural tooth restoration and enamel strengthening process that aims to restore optimum functionality, and strength to prevent diseases such as tooth decay.

It involves replacing lost teeth minerals such as calcium and phosphate. When demineralization exceeds remineralization in the mouth, cavities may develop.

Enamel composition

96% of our tooth enamel and 65% of the dentin comprises hydroxyapatite. The enamel is the hardest substance in our bodies, surpassing bones in rigidity.

In addition, hydroxyapatite, the major enamel component, is responsible for the white and translucent appearance of enamel.

Yet acids from cavity-causing mouth bacteria can degrade teeth over time, resulting in demineralization, which can lead to the onset of tooth decay.

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Nanohydroxyapatite vs micro hydroxyapatite

You may come across nanohydroxyapatite vs micro hydroxyapatite products, and you wonder whether they mean the same thing.

Well, here’s the difference: hydroxyapatite has two forms; nano and micro.

Hydroxyapatite nano-particles boast 20-80 nanometer particles while hydroxyapatite micro-particles boast 5-10 micron long particles.

Micro hydroxyapatite particles are often naturally sourced, while nano-particles are synthetic. Some toothpaste manufacturers use both micro and nanoparticles or either of them.

While research shows that both hydroxyapatite varieties can significantly decrease tooth sensitivity, nanohydroxyapatite boasts a stronger capability than its counterpart.

Its particles are tinier, so they can maneuver and hold onto more enamel surface area, contrary to micro hydroxyapatite, which has larger-sized microns.

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Hydroxyapatite vs fluoride: Which one fights cavities best?

While fluoride has been the perennial standard cavity prevention toothpaste compound, nanohydroxyapatite is a new game changer, offering a more natural teeth-remineralizing approach.

To understand this better, let’s dive into how fluoride works and compare it to hydroxyapatite.

How fluoride works

Toothpaste with fluoride interacts differently with our teeth when we brush them.

It supplies fluoride ions to teeth surfaces, which then work by interacting with the hydroxyapatite minerals in the teeth structure to form a new compound, fluorapatite.

Fluorapatite works as the teeth guard by strengthening the enamel to fight demineralization of teeth and cavity-causing bacteria.

The newly formed compound then inhibits and slows bacteria production and acid attacks.

How nanohydroxyapatite works

Nanohydroxyapatite merges with the hydroxyapatite tooth structure crystals to mend and strengthen the inner enamel.

It then repairs tiny cracks in teeth and strengthens them to foster natural remineralization of teeth.

Does nanohydroxyapatite prevent cavities?

Nanohydroxyapatite can mend tiny tooth cracks from within and prevent the formation of a physical hole(cavity) in teeth to hinder cavity development.

Remineralization is, however, highly effective in low-risk developing caries and not progressed ones.

Nanohydroxyapatite also boasts biocompatibility, implying that the body tolerates and easily accepts it. After all, it’s not an unfamiliar stranger to the body since it’s found in bones, too.

Nanohydroxyapatite particles can also improve the teeth’ shade and make them smoother, unlike fluoride.

It has a deeper penetration ability to reach deeper teeth regions and strengthen them inside out.

Furthermore, research studies indicate that nanohydroxyapatite can boost teeth microhardness of previously demineralized lesions.

Hydroxyapatite biocompatibility upholds its medical use in treating bone loss(osteoporosis) and bone-related injuries for bone regeneration.

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Is nanohydroxyapatite better than fluoride?

Nanohydroxyapatite works equal to and sometimes better than fluoride.

Some research studies indicate that fluoride and nanohydroxyapatite are equal, while others confirm that nanohydroxyapatite is superior to fluoride.

In Japan, hydroxyapatite toothpaste has been the preferred choice over toothpaste containing fluoride for over four decades.

However, fluoride is still the tested and approved gold standard toothpaste compound since nanohydroxyapatite is relatively new and needs more studies and further research.

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Is nanohydroxyapatite safe?

Yes, nanohydroxyapatite is safe.

A 2023 study by the EU’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) that the EU Commission presents approves nanohydroxyapatite use in toothpaste and mouthwash safe in concentrations of 10% and 0.465%, respectively.

This analysis applies to nanohydroxyapatite that:

• Has rod-shaped particles within a certain size range
• Has no coating on the particles or surface modification.

SCCS also adds that this evaluation does not apply to nanohydroxyapatite that contains needle-shaped particles.

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Fluoride: friend or foe? Understanding its effects

Fluoride is a significant dental caries resistant. It’s been the best fit for almost a century.

From its early beginnings, testing on its role to counteract tooth decay, to its inclusion in public water supply sources, it’s a truly nifty dentistry breakthrough.

Conversely, excessive fluoride consumption over long periods during early years can cause enamel fluorosis.

Enamel fluorosis symptoms may include brownish stains or white flecks on teeth, pitting, and rough enamel.

Depending on the severity, enamel fluorosis may require treatment measures such as dental bonding, veneers, and composite resins.

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Should you choose fluoride-free products?

The polarization effects of fluoride shouldn’t discourage its use in oral health.

There’s a reason why dentists and toothpaste manufacturers recommend limits such as a pea-sized amount for adults and a rice-grain size for kids.

Brush for two minutes, two to three times each day, for optimum results and efficient cleansing.

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Frequently asked questions on nanohydroxyapatite

Here are answers to frequently asked questions on nanohydroxyapatite:

1. Compare hydroxyapatite vs fluoride

While hydroxyapatite and fluoride boast cavity-fighting properties, they function differently.

Nanohydroxyapatite merges with the tooth structure to rebuild it from within due to its biocompatibility.

Fluoride resists cavities by delivering fluoride ions to tooth surfaces, forming fluorapatite, a cavity-causing bacteria, and teeth safeguard.

2. What is the best hydroxyapatite toothpaste?

Diverse toothpaste brands that manufacture hydroxyapatite exist in the market, such as Boka toothpaste nanohydroxyapatite.

It uses a hydroxyapatite variety with tinier particles that can maneuver into deeper tooth regions to repair and remineralize them.

3. What is hydroxyapatite toothpaste?

Hydroxyapatite toothpaste is a tooth brushing gel or paste containing hydroxyapatite compounds, such as nanohydroxyapatite, which remineralize teeth from within.

This is because our bodies also contain hydroxyapatite in our teeth and bones. Therefore, they tolerate it well, and it can integrate easily to strengthen teeth.

4. Is nanohydroxyapatite safe?

Yes, various research studies prove that nanohydroxyapatite is safe and also child-friendly.

While the FDA has not approved nanohydroxyapatite as a toothpaste ingredient, the EU Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) consents to nanohydroxyapatite use in toothpaste and mouthwash safe in concentrations of 10% and 0.465%, respectively.

5. What’s the difference between nanohydroxyapatite and hydroxyapatite

Hydroxyapatite exists in two forms: nano and micro.

Nanohydroxyapatite is a synthetic form of hydroxyapatite with tinier particles that can easily penetrate deeper tooth regions to promote remineralization.

Micro hydroxyapatite is a natural form of hydroxyapatite.

The Takeaway

As this not-so-new rookie gains widespread popularity, it can transform dentistry and oral health care and contribute to decreasing universal tooth decay statistics.

Further studies and commercialization could foster its incorporation and universal acceptance in toothpaste manufacturing.

Nanohydroxyapatite can combat cavities from a unique edge(from within) and assist its perennial counterpart, fluoride, in remineralizing teeth.

Or, they could work concurrently to resolve perennial dental issues.