Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste Proven as Effective as Fluoride in Preventing Cavities

Recent results from an 18-month-long clinical trial show that toothpaste formulated with hydroxyapatite, a calcium phosphate mineral, can prevent dental cavities as effectively as fluoride toothpaste. This indicates that hydroxyapatite toothpaste could be a safer and more efficient substitute, particularly beneficial for children who might ingest excessive fluoride.

The study revealed that patients who used toothpaste containing hydroxyapatite, a mineral critical for bone development, were no more likely to develop cavities than those using fluoride toothpaste.

Regular brushing is a standard dental hygiene practice, but there’s always a question if our toothpaste can be better tailored to maintain oral health and prevent dental issues. Traditionally, toothpastes use fluoride, known for its effectiveness in oral care. However, fluoride can pose health risks, especially when children swallow too much toothpaste. Therefore, they are often advised to use minimal amounts of toothpaste, potentially compromising toothbrushing efficiency. To address this, a global team of researchers and Polish clinicians have identified a hydroxyapatite-based toothpaste that seems to be just as effective as fluoride in preventing cavities.

“Hydroxyapatite offers a safe and efficient fluoride alternative for daily cavity prevention,” stated Professor Elzbieta Paszynska from the Poznan University of Medical Sciences, co-principal investigator and lead author of the study, published in Frontiers in Public Health on July 18.

Low-Invasion Dentistry

Hydroxyapatite, a calcium phosphate mineral present in our bones, has been confirmed safe for human use and has shown effectiveness in treating dental conditions such as periodontitis. It has a two-fold function: it inhibits tooth demineralization, a precursor to cavities, and promotes remineralization, repairing damaged tooth surfaces.

“Presently, ‘low-invasion dentistry’ is the preferred dental care approach, which means we try to preserve as much tooth tissue as possible, including areas affected by initial cavities that can still remineralize. Using remineralization compounds could reduce the need for invasive treatment of cavities with drilling,” explained Paszynska.

For this trial, clinicians enlisted 189 adults aged between 18 and 45 in an 18-month double-blind randomized clinical trial. The aim was to have all participants complete the study without developing any new cavities.

Out of 171 participants who completed the trial, half used hydroxyapatite toothpaste, and the other half used fluoride toothpaste. All had at least 10 cavity-free teeth, agreed to use an electric toothbrush, and had no outstanding dental issues. Patients were supplied with electric toothbrushes, replacement brush heads, and nondescript toothpaste containing either hydroxyapatite or fluoride. Both patients and examiners were unaware of the type of toothpaste each participant used, and no other oral care products were allowed. They were instructed to brush their teeth twice daily, after meals, for three minutes each time, without modifying their diets.

By the trial’s conclusion, approximately 90% of participants in both groups did not develop any new cavities. The hydroxyapatite toothpaste and the fluoride toothpaste were equally effective, with no significant difference in efficacy between the groups.

“Past clinical trials have shown that hydroxyapatite can prevent cavities in high-risk groups, such as children and patients receiving orthodontic therapy,” Paszynska stated. “Our new clinical trial demonstrates that hydroxyapatite also prevents dental caries in adults, which is significant from a public health perspective.”

This research was funded by Dr. Kurt Wolff GmbH & Co. KG and Poznan University of Medical Sciences.

Reference: “Caries-preventing effect of a hydroxyapatite-toothpaste in adults: an 18-month double-blinded randomized clinical trial” by Elzbieta Paszynska et al., 18 July 2023, Frontiers in Public Health. DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1199728

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More about Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste

• Study: Caries-preventing effect of a hydroxyapatite-toothpaste in adults
• Information on Hydroxyapatite
• Fluoride and its effects on Dental Health
• Poznan University of Medical Sciences
• Dr. Kurt Wolff GmbH & Co. KG