This Gross Addition To Toothpaste Is Actually Best For Natural Enamel Repair

TeethFluoride, a naturally occurring mineral found in water, soil, and rocks, has been proven to help protect our teeth from erosion and decay. It can even help to reverse some early signs of degeneration. That’s why it’s included in most toothpastes. In the right doses, it’s a great way to strengthen your tooth enamel and prevent cavities. But a recent study has found that keratin – the protein found in hair and nails – might outperform the current go-to mineral.Why might hair help to repair teeth?Scientists from King’s College London extracted keratin from wool. When they applied the paste to the surface of teeth, they found that the protein (keratin) formed supportive, crystal-like structures that worked as a kind of scaffold for eroded enamel. Its shape and function were very like enamel at this stage. Over time and after it had been combined with saliva, these structures got even better – this “scaffold” accumulated more and more calcium and phosphate ions, which led to a protective film forming around the tooth. King’s College London notes that while fluoride has been shown to slow down enamel erosion, “keratin-based treatments were found to stop it completely”.This is key because once you lose enamel, it cannot be replaced.The study’s first author, Sara Gamea, said: “Keratin offers a transformative alternative to current dental treatments.“Not only is it sustainably sourced from biological waste materials like hair and skin, it also eliminates the need for traditional plastic resins, commonly used in restorative dentistry, which are toxic and less durable.” She added that it looks more “natural” than other options, because it matches the colour of the tooth better.Will I be able to buy hair toothpaste soon?Speaking to Sky News, Dr Sherif Elsharkawy, who was involved in the study, said: “We think this is a game changer... If you have a micro crack or a very small defect, it would heal itself without you even realising”. Scientists say the treatment might be available to consumers as either a toothpaste or a dentist-applied protective gel in about three years. “With further development and the right industry partnerships, we may soon be growing stronger, healthier smiles from something as simple as a haircut,” Dr Elsharkawy told King’s College London.Related...Semaglutide Users Are Reporting 'Ozempic Teeth' – But It May Not Be What They Think12 Things Dental Hygienists Would Never, Ever Do To Their TeethI Just Learned What Actually Happens When Kids' Teeth Fall Out – And Wow

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This Gross Addition To Toothpaste Is Actually Best For Natural Enamel Repair

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