The NOBS (No Bad Stuff) toothpaste tablets are going viral due to their most important ingredient of nano-hydroxyapatite, a fluoride-free various. As well being considerations round fluoride and its presence in public drinking water proceed to swirl, nano-hydroxyapatite toothpastes have gotten more and more standard. You’ve got seemingly seen them on retailer cabinets or in advertisements from corporations like Boka and Davids, marketed as fluoride-free alternate options for your toothbrush that declare to whiten teeth, restore enamel and stop cavities.
“As ingredient labels shift towards cleaner, fluoride-free formulation, one compound is taking heart stage in trendy oral care: nano-hydroxyapatite,” Dr. Pia Lieb, DDS, beauty dentist and medical assistant professor emerita at NYU Faculty of Dentistry, explains. In line with dentists, in the event you’re contemplating changing your fluoride toothpaste with a nano-hydroxyapatite various just like the now-viral NOBS, you must know the next potential advantages and uncomfortable side effects.
What’s nano-hydroxyapatite?
“Nano-hydroxyapatite is an artificial calcium phosphate compound that is utilized in some oral care merchandise, together with toothpastes,” explains Dr. Ada Cooper, client advisor and spokesperson for the American Dental Association, says. “[It] has a construction that’s just like hydroxyapatite present in enamel, and nHAP will get included into the tooth construction preferentially in demineralized areas.”
Nano-hydroxyapatite can also be abbreviated as n-HA and n-HAp.
Dr. Royce Lai of King Village Dental provides that that is technically a two-part query, since “hydroxyapatite has been round for many years and has been studied for a minimum of 20 years.” Newer and fewer studied, nano-hydroxyapatite is a model of hydroxyapatite with small, rod-shaped particles.
“Hydroxyapatite is pure. It’s a sort of calcium that makes up bones and enamel,” says Lai. “Nano-hydroxyapatite pertains to the particle dimension. These are between 20 and 80 nanometers and are a lot smaller than the hydroxyapatite tubules which are part of your enamel.”
In line with Dr. Daniela Eversgerd, a beauty dentist and the founding father of Allure Dental, nano-hydroxyapatite was developed by NASA within the Seventies for astronauts coping with bone and enamel loss throughout lengthy durations of house journey. Because the early Nineties, it has been accepted for oral care merchandise in Japan.
Nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste advantages
“Nano-hydroxyapatite would not simply defend your enamel — it helps rebuild them,” says Dr. Catrise Austin, a beauty dentist, creator of Gum Well being Made Easy and host of the Let’s Speak Smiles podcast. She lists the next as potential nano-hydroxyapatite advantages:
- Enamel remineralization
- Tooth sensitivity reduction
- Decreased bacterial adhesion
- Whitening and gloss enhancement
“n-HA can truly fill microscopic cracks and assist reverse or arrest early cavities,” provides dentist Dr. Sandip Sachar.
Austin cites a 2019 study that discovered a ten% hydroxyapatite toothpaste is equal or non-inferior to fluoride toothpaste for stopping and remineralizing dental cavities (or caries) in kids.
In terms of enamel sensitivity, Lai cites a 2014 study concluding that 15% nano-hydroxyapatite helped delicate enamel. “The particle dimension may get into house and work higher than bigger particles in micro-hydroxyapatite or fluoride,” he explains. “The conclusion was that nano-hydroxyapatite may considerably cut back tooth sensitivity to cold and hot in two to 4 weeks of use.”
Referencing an 18-month 2023 clinical trial discovering {that a} 10% n-HAp toothpaste protected grownup enamel from new cavities in addition to a normal 1,450-ppm fluoride paste, Dr. Christopher Tolmie, DDS, MBA, of PDS Well being, states, “By patching enamel and calming swollen gums, nano-hydroxyapatite could lower off a hidden spark of power irritation linked to heart disease and diabetes.”
Since nano-hydroxyapatite toothpastes are fluoride free, Dr. Yenile Y. Pinto, DDS, practical and biomimetic dentist and founding father of Deering Dental, provides, “It is also been proven to scale back sensitivity and strengthen the enamel floor with out the chance of fluorosis.” Fluorosis happens whenever you get an excessive amount of fluoride as a toddler, inflicting white or brown spots on the enamel. The CDC studies that fluorosis usually doesn’t affect tooth function and is not painful.
A 2020 systematic review of 32 research concluded that “Nano-HA is a comparatively novel materials with excellent bodily, chemical, mechanical and organic properties that makes it appropriate for a number of interventions. It outperformed a lot of the traditional supplies utilized in implantology and surgical procedure, nevertheless it ought to be additional investigated for bone engineering and caries prevention remedy.”
A 2023 comprehensive review discovered that, whereas extra long-term research are wanted to ascertain the security of standard use, “Nanohydroxyapatite is a promising revolutionary materials within the prevention of early carious lesion primarily because of a higher supply of free calcium.”
Finally, offering a 2021 review and 2022 scoping review, Cooper concludes, “Though there may be some proof that various components, similar to [nano] hydroxyapatite, stop tooth decay by performing as a remineralizing or anti-cavity agent, the research are preliminary. The one anti-cavity agent acknowledged by the Meals and Drug Administration in its over-the-counter monograph is fluoride, a naturally occurring chemical.”
Cooper provides that each one toothpastes with the ADA Seal of Acceptance include fluoride. The administration particularly recommends brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and often visiting your dentist.
Nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste uncomfortable side effects
“In line with a [2021] narrative review from Odontology, the official journal of the Society of the Nippon Dental College, thus far, there have been no studies of opposed dental or systemic results of HAP-containing toothpastes as a result of HAP has a superb biocompatibility,” states Cooper.
In line with Austin, the priority with nano-hydroxyapatite is that, as a result of it is made from nanoparticles, some fear about how a lot would possibly get absorbed into the physique if often swallowed. “The European Fee’s Scientific Committee raised considerations as a result of lack of long-term security information on ingestion, notably in kids,” she says. This has led to non permanent nano-hydroxyapatite restrictions (not a full-on banning) in Europe.
The European Scientific Committee deems nHA secure in toothpaste up to 29.5% and as much as 10% in mouthwash, per Tolmie. Nevertheless, he states, “Regulators nonetheless bar it from breath-spray merchandise to keep away from lung publicity, so persist with pastes and rinses.”
Key considerations round nano-hydroxyapatite, in accordance with Lieb, are:
- Potential ingestion and systemic absorption, particularly in nano kind
- Lack of long-term research in people on the cumulative results
- Unknown affect of inhalation from aerosol merchandise (not toothpaste)
By way of systemic absorption, Sachar specifies, “As a result of nano-hydroxyapatite particles are comparable in composition to bone mineral, there was some theoretical concern that if absorbed systemically, they might probably contribute to undesirable calcifications in gentle tissues (like blood vessels or kidneys).” Nevertheless, she states that that is speculative and never supported by any present medical proof.
Is nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste solely efficient at 10%?
“Most medical formulations of nHA vary from 5%-15%, with 10% rising because the benchmark focus in a number of Japanese and European research,” solutions Lieb. “This focus has demonstrated dependable enamel restoration whereas sustaining product stability and value.”
Nevertheless, she states that newer formulations are experimenting with decrease concentrations and enhanced supply methods (similar to encapsulation or synergistic minerals), which can enhance efficacy at decreased ranges. “The effectiveness is not nearly proportion, it is also about particle high quality and the way it’s delivered to the tooth floor,” she explains.
Tolmie provides, “Efficient restore begins as little as 5% and plateaus round 10-15%. A number of research present that 5% n-HAp can mend enamel dings, divots and dents within the enamel, with advantages leveling off someplace between 10% and 15%. One assessment even famous that 5% generally beats 10% as a result of fewer particles clump, making them simpler to slide into enamel defects; therefore, most US manufacturers sit comfortably within the 5-10% candy spot.”
Ought to individuals change fluoride toothpaste with nano-hydroxyapatite?
Eversgerd states that all of it is determined by every individual’s oral well being wants. “Fluoride stays the gold commonplace for cavity prevention, supported by a long time of large-scale, randomized managed trials,” she explains. “Nevertheless, for sufferers searching for a fluoride various — whether or not because of sensitivity, allergy symptoms, private preferences or a need for a biomimetic strategy — nano-hydroxyapatite supplies a scientifically supported choice.”
In line with the Academy of Biomimetic Dentistry, a biomimetic approach is one wherein broken enamel are restored utilizing supplies mimicking pure enamel in operate, energy and look.
For prime-risk sufferers, Eversgerd recommends fluoride, whereas she could advocate n-Ha to low-risk or fluoride-averse people.
Austin seconds this, however provides that she additionally recommends fluoride toothpaste to kids with poor brushing habits or communities with restricted dental entry. “nHA is a superb choice, nevertheless it’s not a one-size-fits-all alternative for fluoride — but,” Austin says.
Lieb explains that nHA can also be a compelling various for sufferers with aesthetic considerations, similar to whitening-induced sensitivity, and people in preventive care regimens post-restorative remedy.
Pinto agrees that it is determined by the individual, stating, “For many of my sufferers, particularly these with low to average cavity danger, nano-hydroxyapatite is a wonderful choice; gentler on the mouth, much less drying and efficient at rebuilding early injury. For individuals with excessive cavity danger, fluoride would possibly nonetheless be your best option, a minimum of quick time period. For my high-risk sufferers, I usually advocate a combo toothpaste that features each components when acceptable.” Finally, if a affected person is not excessive danger and has well being or security considerations about fluoride, she thinks hydroxyapatite is a superb choice.
When requested if there is a purpose individuals ought to select n-HAp over different anti-cavity toothpastes, Tolmie solutions, “No, so long as sufferers are brushing their enamel with an anti-cavity toothpaste. There are variations in the way in which an n-HAp toothpaste and a fluoride toothpaste work to stop decay, and a few n-HAp toothpastes could really feel smoother on the enamel. However anti-cavity toothpastes as an entire accomplish the identical process. Do I wash a automotive with faucet water or bottled water? We all know that each of them get the job completed.”
What’s most necessary, in accordance with Tolmie, is that sufferers guarantee they don’t seem to be swallowing toothpaste.
What does the American Dental Affiliation suppose? Cooper states that the ADA recommends brushing enamel twice day by day for 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste, because the naturally occurring mineral has been confirmed to remineralize weakened enamel and reverse early indicators of tooth decay.
“Moreover, the fluoride you absorb from consuming water and different drinks continues to offer a topical profit as a result of it turns into a part of your saliva, continuously bathing the enamel and serving to to rebuild weakened tooth enamel,” Cooper additional explains. “The most effective scientific proof has proven that adding fluoride to community water provides is secure and efficient. That is backed by a long time of analysis and acknowledged by greater than 100 well being organizations.”
Does nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste work?
All the dentists we consulted agree that nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste works, however in the best context and with the best product. It is also not a miracle remedy and shouldn’t change your complete oral care routine, dentist’s suggestions or common appointments. Plus, Eversgerd provides that extra long-term, large-scale trials are wanted to totally validate whether or not it is equal to fluoride in stopping cavities.
When requested if it is efficient, Austin says, “Sure — notably for enamel remineralization and sensitivity. In my follow, I’ve seen sufferers who switched to nHA toothpaste expertise noticeable enhancements in consolation, plaque management and floor smoothness. However like all product, it really works greatest when paired with constant brushing, flossing {and professional} cleanings.”
Pinto agrees and has additionally seen the outcomes firsthand. “It helps remineralize enamel, soothe sensitivity and help a more healthy oral microbiome, particularly when paired with a great routine (good house hygiene, nutritious diet, hydration and nasal respiratory),” she explains, noting that it isn’t a miracle remedy, however does supply many advantages.
On behalf of the ADA, Cooper echoes Eversgerd’s earlier assertion: “The usage of nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAP) in over-the-counter merchandise is rising and a few proof reveals that nHAP could contribute to remineralization, however the proof is pretty new and sometimes ambiguous, particularly relating to medical indications. ”
Do specialists advocate nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste?
All the specialists we consulted do advocate nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste, however just for sure sufferers. In spite of everything, in accordance with Austin, “Nearly half of US adults over 30 have some type of gum illness, and you may’t out-toothpaste a nasty hygiene routine.” Brushing your enamel often, flossing and often visiting your dentist are nonetheless important, it doesn’t matter what toothpaste you utilize.
Although Lieb recommends nHA toothpaste for grownup sufferers experiencing post-whitening sensitivity or early enamel erosion, low-caries danger people searching for pure alternate options and adults present process beauty dental work who wish to defend their funding with mild, remineralizing care, she would not advocate nano-hydroxyapatite for youngsters with deciduous dentition.
“In my skilled opinion, fluoride stays the most secure and handiest choice for all sufferers below 14,” says Lieb. “Its protecting impact through the growth of everlasting dentition is unmatched, and its caries-prevention document is properly established.”
Sachar states that she usually recommends it for “sufferers searching for fluoride-free choices, these with gentle tooth sensitivity and for youngsters prone to swallowing fluoride toothpaste.” Nevertheless, she advises that sufferers with average to excessive cavity danger not absolutely abandon fluoride.
Once more, it is necessary to notice that the “ADA recommends that adults brush their enamel twice day by day with fluoride toothpaste for a minimum of two minutes every time, or as directed by a licensed dentist,” in accordance with Cooper. It’s because the proposed advantages of nHAP are pretty new and ambiguous.
The underside line
Although extra analysis is required, the dentists we consulted defined that nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste could be an efficient various to fluoride — however solely in the best context. The ADA would not advocate it. It is also not a miracle remedy or a alternative for brushing often, flossing {and professional} dental appointments.
Should you’re contemplating nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste, seek the advice of your dentist first earlier than making the swap. They know your enamel greatest and shall be ready that can assist you discover the perfect toothpaste to your smile.
2025-07-19 09:27:00