Toothpaste made from hair could help repair teeth [View all]

Toothpaste made from your own hair could help repair and protect damaged teeth, researchers say.

Scientists from King's College London found that keratin - a protein found in hair, skin and wool - can repair tooth enamel and stop early stages of decay.

Their research revealed that keratin produces a protective coating that mimics the structure and function of natural enamel when it comes into contact with minerals in saliva.

Sara Gamea, PhD researcher at King's College London and first author of the study, said: "Keratin offers a transformative alternative to current dental treatments."
King’s College London Mouth model shows decayed from three teeth inside a mouth containing springsKing’s College London
Tooth decay can be caused by acidic food and drinks

She added: "This technology bridges the gap between biology and dentistry, providing an eco-friendly biomaterial that mirrors natural processes.

"Not only is it sustainably sourced from biological waste materials like hair and skin, it also eliminates the need for traditional plastic resins, commonly used in restorative dentistry, which are toxic and less durable."

In their study, published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, the scientists extracted keratin from wool.

Researchers say Keratin material extracted from hair could be used to create toothpaste that repairs tooth enamel

They discovered that when keratin is applied to the tooth surface and comes into contact with the minerals naturally present in saliva, it forms a highly organised, crystal-like scaffold that mimics the structure and function of natural enamel.

Over time, this scaffold continues to attract calcium and phosphate ions, leading to the growth of a protective enamel-like coating around the tooth, according to researchers.

Acidic foods and drinks, poor oral hygiene and ageing all contribute to enamel erosion and decay, leading to tooth sensitivity, pain and eventually tooth loss............

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9qy0w27213o