The use of fluoride in toothpaste is not for everyone, and that’s where hydroxyapatite toothpaste comes in as a great alternative. As a fluoride-free toothpaste, hydroxyapatite (HA or HAP) is primarily composed of calcium, which makes up the majority of your tooth enamel and dentin. So, for anyone looking for a more natural preventive and cavity repair toothpaste, this product should be your top pick! In this blog, we will dive into what hydroxyapatite and fluoride are, their pros and cons, and how to use hydroxyapatite toothpaste.
Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste vs. Fluoride
As you may know, fluoride is in a lot of items related to your dental health, including toothpaste. It has been the overall industry standard in the dental community for decades. Although many practices still use fluoride, hydroxyapatite is taking over as a newer ingredient for better dental health. To help you decide between hydroxyapatite toothpaste and fluoride toothpaste, we will go over how they both work.
Fluoride is a type of mineral that helps strengthen tooth enamel while also helping to prevent cavities from forming. The way it does this is by increasing the water content in your saliva, which coats your teeth and is a natural way to remove food debris from your teeth and also wash away any bacteria that can often lead to tooth decay or gum disease.
Hydroxyapatite toothpaste, on the other hand, is made up of calcium and phosphate, elements that already make up your teeth. This allows your teeth to absorb calcium, and from there, it fills in any enamel fissures. Hydroxyapatite naturally helps by replacing any dissolved minerals that were previously lost from your teeth. This strengthens your teeth, helping to fight against plaque, which is the most common source of tooth decay and gum disease. Overall, hydroxyapatite and fluoride toothpaste both work to help fight cavities, but in different ways.
How Does Hydroxyapatite Work?
Hydroxyapatite is a naturally occurring mineral found in your bones and teeth. It is a form of calcium apatite, which is what gives your teeth their natural strength. The mineral gets broken down and made into a toothpaste that provides a natural and safe alternative to fluoride toothpaste.
The toothpaste works by filling in weak spots or tiny cracks on your teeth. The acid in some foods can cause these problem spots to appear, but hydroxyapatite sticks to your teeth and completes remineralization to combat them. During this process, the toothpaste replaces the calcium and phosphate in your enamel, adding a protective layer on the tooth’s surface. Acid from food must penetrate through this protective layer before it can attack your natural tooth, helping safeguard your smile against cavity formation, decay and erosion.
The Pros and Cons of Hydroxyapatite and Fluoride
As we’ve seen, both hydroxyapatite and fluoride are effective in cavity repair toothpaste, but each has its pros and cons. Let’s discuss hydroxyapatite toothpaste first:
What to Know About Hydroxyapatite
Hydroxyapatite toothpaste can deliver immense advantages. Consider these benefits:
- Remineralization: Hydroxyapatite toothpaste can help prevent and heal cavities through remineralization, which helps repair and strengthen your enamel.
- Teeth whitening: By filling tiny spots and defects, HAP creates a more uniform surface that can reflect light better and help make your teeth look whiter. Additionally, the protective layer of calcium and phosphate may prevent any yellowing underneath from being visible.
- Sensitivity: Some studies suggest that this toothpaste could make your teeth less sensitive and reduce the symptoms of dentin hypersensitivity. It also helps teeth become more resistant to acidic pH, which is found in your mouth and normally breaks down enamel quicker.
- Biocompatible and non-toxic: Made up of calcium and phosphate, your body recognizes the elements of this toothpaste as something that it needs, making it biocompatible and non-toxic.
Despite the numerous advantages of HAP, there are a few considerations to note. For example:
- The Food and Drug Administration has not yet approved HAP as an anti-cavity toothpaste, and more research is necessary to ensure wide acceptance.
- The American Dental Association requires that all toothpaste with the ADA seal of acceptance for cavity protection contain fluoride.
- Some people may be allergic to HAP, although this is a rare occurrence.
- Compared to fluoride toothpaste, hydroxyapatite toothpaste tends to be more expensive. There may also be smaller selections available in stores, so you may need to order HAP online.
A Closer Look at Fluoride Toothpaste
Next, let’s move to the pros and cons of fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride toothpaste is known for:
- Reversing signs of tooth decay: It has the ability to reverse signs of tooth decay while also helping to prevent any growth of harmful bacteria in your mouth.
- Restoring minerals: Fluoride actively helps restore lost minerals in your tooth enamel, making them more resilient to cavities.
- Strengthening tooth enamel: Regular use of fluoride toothpaste hardens the enamel, making your teeth less susceptible to acid attacks from food. It has the ability to reverse signs of tooth decay, while also helping to prevent any growth of harmful bacteria in your mouth.
Like every product, fluoride toothpaste also has some disadvantages:
- Fluoride toothpaste can cause dental fluorosis, which leads to pitted and discolored teeth or white streaks on your teeth.
- It can be potentially toxic if you consume a very large amount.
- Some individuals may be allergic to fluoride toothpaste due to other ingredients in the product.
- The aftertaste or flavor of fluoride toothpaste can be unpleasant or intense for some people, potentially discouraging regular brushing for those with sensitivities.
How to Use Cavity Repair Toothpaste
Now that you know the benefits and disadvantages of using hydroxyapatite toothpaste, we can confidently say that it is safe to use. Being made of a biocompatible mineral compound, which closely resembles the hydroxyapatite that you can already find in both your teeth and bones, allows your body to recognize it and accept it easily.
The simplest way to use hydroxyapatite toothpaste is by substituting it for your regular daily toothpaste and using it the same way, or according to the package instructions or your dentist’s advice. Just be sure to speak with your dentist if you experience any adverse reactions.
Consistency is key when using cavity repair toothpaste. To experience long-term benefits, plan to brush your teeth at least twice a day — once in the morning and once in the evening. Brush for at least two minutes for optimal results, and refrain from rinsing your mouth immediately after to allow the ingredients sufficient time to interact with and protect your enamel. Avoid eating or drinking anything for half an hour after brushing to optimize the remineralizing effect.
Those with sensitive teeth may benefit from pairing HAP with other preventive measures, such as using a soft-bristle toothbrush.
Schedule Your Next Dental Visit With Us
To recap, we have gone over the differences between hydroxyapatite and fluoride as a cavity repair toothpaste, what exactly each of them is made up of, the pros and cons of both, and how you should use hydroxyapatite toothpaste. You now have an alternative to fluoride toothpaste to consider using in your daily dental routine.
At Inspire Dental Wellness, we can help by going over any questions you may still have about proper oral health care for yourself or for your kids. Both Dr. Erica and Dr. Badia are experienced dentists in the Orland Park area, providing a complete range of dental care. Call today or fill out our contact form to get your next appointment scheduled!