Hydroxyapatite (aka HAp) may not be common in the oral care products at your local drugstore, but it is starting to gain popularity at dentists offices, wellness centers and of course at Beauty Heroes. All three of our oral care brands use hydroxyapatite in their toothpaste. Davids has one formula that uses the ingredient while Hüppy and Risewell use it in all their formulas. But why? Today we’re discovering three leading brands crafting the best hydroxyapatite toothpastes.
Hydroxyapatite is the natural mineral that makes up 97% of the tooth enamel in our pearly whites. Studies have shown consistently, that brushing with hydroxyapatite supports remineralization of teeth. Plus, it’s great for teeth that experience sensitivity. Those in the know, are calling this ingredient ‘a revolutionary material, with a wide use in dentistry.’
Traditionally sourced from mines, hydroxyapatite can also be synthesized in a lab as a natural-identical. While it has a lot of similar benefits of fluoride, it does have a few significant differences. Hydroxyapatite is what our teeth are made of, so it’s a more natural supplement to strengthen the structure of teeth through remineralization. It has also been studied to inhibit bacterial growth, which prevents tooth decay. It’s also a more sustainable choice that fluoride, which creates a much larger carbon footprint to mine and can be bio accumulative and persist in our ecosystems, which can be harmful to aquatic and plant life.
Eric, Founder of Davids Toothpaste has chosen to us nano hydroxyapatite (nHA) stating, “you need the nano particles to effectively repair the tubules to block the passageways to the nerves. We like nHA as an option primarily for its ability to occlude the tubules to reduce sensitivity vs legacy sensitive toothpaste which uses potassium nitrate to temporarily numb the tooth nerves. Unlike some material like calcium carbonate that is mined from the earth, all nano hydroxyapatite material is manmade, but the base material is derived from calcium and phosphorus salts. Additionally, nHA material can be produced in various shapes with some being rod shaped and other material more spear shaped, and Davids uses rod shaped material which is viewed as being safer. Spear shaped material is believed to have the potential to cause damage at the cellular level, which is why we only use rod shaped nHA.”
Risewell Toothpaste researched and did significant due diligence to determine the best source for the highest quality hydroxyapatite. “We source our Micro-Hydroxyapatite directly from a mine in France to ensure it is in its natural form. We first discovered hydroxyapatite when traveling to Japan in 2017. Japan has utilized hydroxyapatite in their oral care products for over 40 years and it makes up over 70% of their oral care market. Many clinical studies have been done on the ingredient and millions of people have utilized the ingredient in their oral care for decades with great results.”
David, the co-founder of Hüppy Plastic Free Toothpaste also uses nHA in their toothpaste tabs because, “it helps with both remineralization and sensitivity — while fluoride only helps with remineralization. It is also made of the same composition as our teeth and contains both calcium and phosphate. Our toothpaste does not come in a tube — and is a chewable form that’s better for you and our planet. Since it does not contain any water, it does not contain preservatives, making it ultra-clean.”
