This article will tell you everything you need to know about hydroxyapatite toothpaste and how it can help your teeth. Plus some good brands!
Did you know that a toothpaste made from hydroxyapatite is safer for your teeth (and body!) than traditional fluoride toothpaste is?
Both fluoride and hydroxyapatite can help reduce cavities and improve the remineralization process of your teeth, but unlike fluoride, hydroxyapatite has no known side effects! It doesn’t increase your risk of cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, or anything else like fluoride does.
And it actually does a better job fighting off cavities than fluoride! Plus, it reduces the risk of enamel erosion and keeps the microbiome of your mouth perfectly balanced!
Hydroxyapatite is a clean, natural ingredient. So, if you are new to the clean beauty movement, and want to know more, read on to learn all about hydroxyapatite toothpaste and why I ditched the traditional toothpastes!
I even share my favorite hydroxyapatite toothpaste brands, so that you can give them a try too!
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What is Hydroxyapatite and Why is It Used in Toothpaste?
Hydroxyapatite is a mineral that makes up most of your bone structure, including your teeth. It is what makes your teeth hard and strong.
In fact, hydroxyapatite is often used for bone repair or bone regeneration, so it makes sense to add it to your toothpaste, right?
When shopping for a hydroxyapatite toothpaste, you might see both synthetic and natural forms of hydroxyapatite listed. Both are equally effective. The synthetic version is just as safe as natural hydroxyapatite – neither has any known side effects.
You might also see a toothpaste labeled as NHA toothpaste. NHA is hydroxyapatite in a nanocrystal form, and it still has all the same benefits as regular hydroxyapatite.
Why is Hydroxyapatite Used in Toothpaste?
Hydroxyapatite is added to some toothpaste because it fights cavities and is easily absorbed into your body.
Since hydroxyapatite is found naturally in your teeth, your body already recognizes the mineral.
It is considered “biocompatible”, meaning it is accepted by your body and does not harm any living tissue.
Quite the opposite of fluoride. But more on that in a bit.
Hydroxyapatite doesn’t just prevent cavities. It also assists the remineralization process of your teeth.
The remineralization process is your natural tooth repair process. Your teeth lose minerals every day, as you eat and drink. But your body takes calcium and phosphate from your saliva and deposits them back into your tooth enamel, to replace the lost minerals and repair any damaged teeth.
This remineralization process helps restore your tooth enamel.
Hydroxyapatite can counter the effects of soda, energy drinks, and any other acidic beverages you consume. It also helps ease any tooth sensitivity you might have and fights off periodontitis, oral bacteria, and plaque.
You are rebuilding your tooth enamel and adding a protective outer layer to your teeth every time you use hydroxyapatite toothpaste.
Does Hydroxyapatite Have Any Side Effects?
No! That’s the beauty of it! You get all the benefits of fluoride but with no harmful side effects!
I mean, for the purposes of full disclosure and transparency, it is possible for someone to have an allergic reaction to hydroxyapatite toothpaste. But that would be in response to the manufacturing process of the toothpaste, not a reaction to hydroxyapatite itself.
Hydroxyapatite is already a part of your teeth. Your body already uses the mineral, to keep your teeth and bones strong. So it is a natural ingredient that can safely be added to your toothpaste.
Is Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste Better than Conventional Toothpaste?
In my opinion, yes, hydroxyapatite toothpaste is better than conventional toothpaste.
Traditional toothpaste uses fluoride. And contrary to popular belief, fluoride is harmful, if ingested in large quantities.
Fluoride accumulates in your body, anywhere that your body stores calcium. So, of course, fluoride accumulates in your bones, teeth, and cartilage. But it even passes into your brain and your baby’s placenta if you are pregnant.
A breastfeeding mother can pass excess fluoride to her baby, as well.
Fluoride accumulation in the brain alters your neurotransmitter levels, including important hormones such as norepinephrine, serotonin, epinephrine, and dopamine.
And fluoride has been linked to increased risks of many diseases, including autism, Alzheimer’s Disease, cancer, and ADHD, to name a few.
Okay, you say, but I’m not ingesting large quantities of fluoride. I’m just brushing my teeth.
Maybe.
But did you know fluoride is also found in:
- Drinking water
- Carbonated beverages
- Bottled juice
- Canned tomato products
- Spinach
- Dill pickles
This is in addition to your toothpaste.
It’s also found in some medications and pesticides.
So, the chances of you accumulating fluoride are pretty good.
On top of that, fluoride isn’t even as effective as hydroxyapatite at preventing tooth decay. Fluoride actually has to break down your tooth enamel, in order to be absorbed into your teeth.
Shocking, I know!
It seems counter-active.
But because your body already recognizes hydroxyapatite, it doesn’t have to break down anything. It is readily absorbed into your teeth, effortlessly filling in any fissures and scratches on the surface of your teeth.
Hydroxyapatite even reaches down into the root of your tooth, repairing it from the inside out!
If you want to read more about the harmful effects of fluoride, Dr. B., from Ask the Dentist, wrote a fantastic article explaining the side effects of fluoride.
Is Hydroxyapatite Safe for Teeth?
Yes, hydroxyapatite is safe for teeth, particularly because your teeth already have hydroxyapatite in them. It can be found in your teeth’s enamel, dentin, and cementum.
Therefore, it’s nontoxic and biocompatible.
So, your body recognizes it as a substance that belongs in your teeth.
But if you like to read studies, here is one from the National Library of Medicine, and here is one from the British Dental Association, both explaining how hydroxyapatite safely repairs your teeth.
Does Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste Prevent Cavities?
Yes, hydroxyapatite toothpaste does help prevent cavities! Even better than fluoride toothpaste.
Remember, fluoride must break down your tooth enamel before being absorbed into your tooth, where it can then help with remineralization.
Hydroxyapatite, on the other hand, is readily absorbed into your body, because your body recognizes it as one of its own.
When you eat, the bacteria in your mouth creates acid, which then attacks your teeth, causing tooth decay. Hydroxyapatite prevents this acid attack, without actually harming the bacteria in your mouth.
This is great because the bacteria is needed for a healthy microbiome!
Plus, it’s been proven to increase the hardness of your teeth and it coats your teeth, protecting them even more.
Hydroxyapatite even prevents and reverses tooth decay! It reaches down into the root of your tooth, to rebuild your tooth from the inside out.
Regular fluoride doesn’t do that!
The Best Natural Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste Brands
If you are still reading, then I am sure you are convinced of the benefits of hydroxyapatite, just as I was!
If so, you are ready to ditch the traditional fluoride toothpaste. But you are probably wondering which toothpastes contain hydroxyapatite.
No worries! I’ve got you covered.
Here are my top three recommendations. If you want the best hydroxyapatite toothpaste, try one of these! I’m sure you’ll love them just as much as I do.
1. Risewell Mineral Toothpaste
Risewell is made from hydroxyapatite, of course. But it also contains xylitol, which inhibits the bad bacteria in your mouth, and silica and calcium carbonate, which gently scrubs your teeth without damaging the enamel.
Risewell toothpaste has many other natural ingredients as well, such as wild mint, peppermint, orange, lemon, eucalyptus and tea tree oils, and cinnamon and thyme extracts.
Just writing it all out sounds delicious!
And that is exactly what everyone likes about Risewell toothpaste – it is so good that even little kids love to eat it! Which is totally fine because the toothpaste is non-toxic and safe to eat.
But these ingredients do more than just taste good. They also have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory qualities. Cinnamon and thyme extracts are also antioxidants.
Risewell toothpaste can be a bit spendy, however, at $12 per four-ounce bottle, if you buy it from the Risewell website. Each tube typically lasts about three months, which helps to offset the cost.
I’ve been using this toothpaste for a few months now, and I can totally say it’s worth the cost! My teeth have never felt so clean.
The texture of the toothpaste is a bit runny compared to conventional toothpaste, and it doesn’t make any “suds.” This made me nervous, because I’ve tried toothpastes that didn’t make suds and my teeth became horribly invested with plaque.
But I’m happy to report that there has been no such thing! I even went to the dentist recently and I got a couple comments on how my teeth have improved since my last visit. Winning!
Buy Risewell Toothpaste
2. Boka Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste
Boka is a similar alternative to Risewell. It is made from many of the same ingredients, as well.
Boka comes in three great flavors:
Boka enthusiasts love these three flavors! They also rave about the way Boka hydroxyapatite toothpaste leaves their mouth feeling – like they just left the dentist’s office. Some even find their teeth sensitivity is gone, after using Boka toothpaste.
However, Boka is made in the same facility and shared line as peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, eggs, and sunflower. So, you may want to avoid Boka Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste if you have a nut or dairy allergy.
Boka also costs $12 a tube. But I also think it’s worth the price.
3. Dr. Brite Extreme Whitening Toothpaste
Dr. Brite’s Extreme Whitening Toothpaste has all the same ingredients as the other two, plus coconut oil and activated charcoal.
These two additional ingredients give Dr. Brite its extreme whitening power.
Some people swear by this toothpaste and see amazing results, while others do not. I personally haven’t noticed a difference in the whitening power of the toothpaste with the activated charcoal. But it’s got good benefits nonetheless.
Still, if you are looking for a safe alternative to the traditional harsh whitening toothpaste, it doesn’t hurt to try Dr. Brite’s.At worst, you’ll be out a few bucks. At best, you’ll have beautiful pearly whites!
Dr. Brite’s Extreme Whitening Toothpaste costs $11.99 for a five-ounce tube, so it is a little more economical than the other two options.
Final Thoughts on Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste
Hydroxyapatite toothpaste is a safer alternative to regular fluoride toothpaste because your teeth are made from hydroxyapatite!
Your body recognizes the mineral and easily absorbs it into your teeth, filling in the small fissures and scratches in your teeth. This often leads to smoother, glossier-looking teeth.
Hydroxyapatite also assists the remineralization process, preventing and reversing the tooth decay that causes cavities.
It creates stronger, healthier teeth with no side effects.
Fluoride, on the other hand, is toxic in large quantities.
And we are ingesting fluoride from many places, not just our toothpaste.
If you are ready to add a safer, more effective toothpaste to your clean beauty routine, then give Risewell Mineral Toothpaste, Boka Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste, or Dr. White Extreme Whitening Toothpaste a try today!
And if you’ve used one of them already, tell us how it went! Share in the comments below which one you love, and why!
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