Hydroxyapatite as Effective as Fluoride

A recent article published in Bite Magazine, has revealed the efficacy of hydroxyapatite and its ability to prevent cavities as effectively as fluoridated products.

We know that fluoride is a powerful compound for oral health and hygiene, however poses risky for some people to use, especially children, due to its toxicity and risk of swallowing it.

Hydroxyapatite is a calcium mineral that teeth and bones are already made up of. It’s known to be very safe for human consumption and has previously been shown to help with oral conditions like periodontitis. It can both inhibit the demineralisation of teeth, a key step towards a cavity, and contribute to remineralisation, which strengthens and repairs damaged tooth surfaces.

The Study Findings

A team of scientists and clinicians led by Polish study author Professor Elzbieta Paszynska, have conducted a study in search of an effective alternative to fluoride, that works as effectively to protect teeth against cavities.

171 patients aged between 18-45 completed this trial study, evenly split between the hydroxyapatite toothpaste group and the control group with fluoridated toothpaste. All patients had at least 10 teeth without cavities, were willing to use an electric toothbrush, and had no pre-existing tooth problems in need of treatment.

Patients were provided with electric toothbrushes as well as packaged toothpaste that could’ve contained hydroxyapatite toothpaste or fluoride toothpaste. Neither patients nor examiners knew which toothpaste the patient was using, and patients were not using any other oral care product.

Throughout the trial, patients visited the clinicians every six months for an examination and to receive a fresh supply of toothpaste. Their teeth were visually examined and checked for any shadows that might reveal an early-stage cavity. A plaque disclosing solution was also used to see how clean their teeth were.

At the end of the trial, the scientists found that nearly 90 per cent of patients in both groups had no new cavities. There was no statistical difference in efficacy between the patients using a hydroxyapatite toothpaste and the control group using a fluoride toothpaste: both worked equally well.

“Hydroxyapatite is a safe and effective alternative to fluoride in caries prevention for daily use,” said Professor Elzbieta Paszynska of the Poznan University of Medical Sciences, co-principal investigator and corresponding author of the study published in Frontiers in Public Health.