Top 9 Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste for a Flouride Alternative to Keeping your Teeth Clean & Healthy

Before we begin, please note hydroxyapatite toothpaste is a promising new option for oral care. However, we are not doctors and it’s important to talk to your dentist before making any changes to your oral care routine.

Have you heard of hydroxyapatite toothpaste as an alternative to flouride toothpaste? Traditional flouride toothpaste has been a mainstay in our oral care routines for decades. Crest released the first flourinated toothpaste in 1956. But, with the rise of natural and alternative health practices and products, a new player has entered the field: hydroxyapatite toothpaste.

What is Hydroxyapatite?

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is the main mineral that makes up tooth enamel, the hard outer layer of our teeth. It’s a biocompatible material, meaning it’s naturally compatible with the human body. It works hand-in-hand with our saliva to repair and rebuild the damaged enamel, making it stronger and more resistant to tooth decay. Because of all these reasons the National Aeronautics and Space Administartion (NASA) developed a hydroxyapatite based toothpaste for their astronauts who were losing mineral content in their bones and teeth from the lack of gravity. A Japanese company, Sangi Ltd., aquired the rights in 1970 and launched the first HA toothpaste to the public in the early nineties. From there, it is now available worldwide.

How Does Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste Work?

Tooth enamel, the protective layer on our teeth, takes a beating from acids, bacteria, and everyday wear and tear. Hydroxyapatite toothpaste actually contain Nano medical hydroxyapatite, mHAP, which are tiny particles of HA that can fill in microscopic scratches and imperfections in the enamel. This process, called remineralization (which is what flouride does as well), can help to:

• Strengthen teeth: A stronger enamel means teeth are more resistant to cavities and erosion.
• Reduce sensitivity: By filling in tubules in the dentin (the layer beneath the enamel), mHAP toothpaste can help to reduce sensitivity to hot and cold. It must be the nana version of Hydroxyapatite to be small enough to fit into the tubules and create remineralization. (Please note, from here on, when hydroxyapatite is mentioned in toothpaste we are referring to the nano version.)
• Whiten teeth: mHAP is naturally white, so it can gently whiten teeth without the harsh abrasives found in some traditional whitening toothpastes.

Benefits of Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste

There are several potential benefits to using hydroxyapatite toothpaste:

• Fluoride-free: For people who are concerned about fluoride or who have fluoride sensitivity, mHAP toothpaste is a good alternative.
• Gentle on teeth: mHAP is a soft mineral, so it’s less abrasive than some traditional toothpastes. This is especially beneficial for people with sensitive teeth.
• Natural ingredients: Many mHAP toothpastes are made with natural ingredients, such as xylitol and aloe vera.

The Cons or Downside of mHAP Toothpaste

As with any emerging product there are some additional things to keep in mind when considering hydroxyapatite toothpaste:

• First, HA toothpaste can be more expensive than traditional toothpaste.
• Also, the toothpaste may not be as widely available as traditional toothpaste.
• Finally, there are some safety concerns as the toothpastes must use nano particles. The short answer, that you should investigate further if you are concerned, is that the shape and size of the nano particles matters. A lot. And, there is no requirement from brands to disclose the exact type of nano-hydroxyapatite that is being used. As such, brand trust is very important.

Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste Safety from the Brands

After the concerns about nano-hydroxyapatite particles became better known the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) released a statement concerning the issue. Further, they clarified what they deem is safe for use in toothpaste and mouthwash. These are listed below in the email we sent to some of the major brands or via the link above. Bubble & Bee, a retailer of organic products free from harmful chemicals and based in the US, has a accounting of the issue that is easy to understand (especially, if you don’t have a science degree!).

Since nano-hydroxyapatite is such an interesting product we wanted to hear “from the horse’s mouth” which products adhere to the endorsed SCCS standard. As such, we sent the following email to the top brands in the industry, that sell in the United States. Following are their responses (we removed extranious greetings and salutations but the conent of their answers has not been modified and is directly quoted).

How did we choose the brands? We looked for brands that:

• Are easy to access in the United States (and preferably made here),
• Are well reviewed online or often recommended in related Facebook groups, and
• Seem to be bonafide companies (not a hobby producer of natural goods) and have an online presence beyond Amazon.

The Best Nano-Hydroxyapatite Toothpastes on the Market

Pastes are listed in alphabetical order.

Is Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste Right for You?

Hydroxyapatite toothpaste is deemed generally safe for most people. However, it’s important to talk to your dentist before using any new toothpaste, especially if you have any underlying oral health conditions.

Is hydroxyapatite part of your oral care routine?