Now that fluoride's reputation has fallen out of favor, toothpaste producers are scrambling for the next new thing. Hydroxyapatite is on stage and has the spotlight now.
There are plenty of studies showing HA can help remineralize teeth and prevent sensitivity -- all the same claims that were used to promote fluoride for decades, until we accepted that it was toxic.
The western world is obsessed with quick fixes to make things better. But when there's an option to address the root cause instead, a quick fix just seems lazy, or greedy.
Hydroxyapatite is being aggressively marketed as a healthier alternative to fluoride. Fluoride was supposed to make hydroxyapatite more acid resistant by chemically modifying HA. So now, instead of modifying it, the idea is, supply it in greater amounts.
Is this really any different then the idea of supplementing calcium because teeth and bones are made of calcium, so more is better...? Well, if you've read the magnesium article and seen the link to the book entitled "Death by Calcium," you might realize that more isn't always better.
In biological dentistry, remineralization doesn’t begin at the surface. It starts from inside out.
Nano vs Micro
These relate to the size of the hydroxyapatite molecule being used. They are prefixes in the metric system. Nano is a billionth, micro is a millionth. That's a thousand times difference.
Micro-sized particles imply more biological harmony. Nano-sized particles are artificially synthesized and me be biologically foreign.
What is Hydroxyapatite?
Hydroxyapatite is the crystalline form of calcium phosphate that comprises almost all of tooth enamel and more than half of dentin. It's also found in bones, and antlers too. These forms are of course naturally occurring. However, the version used in toothpaste is synthetically manufactured, engineered through chemical precipitation to produce particles smaller than 100 nanometers in diameter.
These unnaturally small particles may be small enough to penetrate teeth, helping to remineralize teeth, but also may be small enough to pass through mucosal membranes and the blood brain barrier. This can lead to systemic distribution.
Benefits
HA can make teeth less sensitive, and can fill in micro porosities. This makes teeth smoother and harder for bacteria to adhere to. Studies show it is effective in doing so.
• Hydroxyapatite as an active ingredient in oral care
• Clinical evidence of caries prevention by hydroxyapatite
• Comparative efficacy of a hydroxyapatite and a fluoride toothpaste...
Potential Harm
Particles under 100 nanometers are capable of crossing biological barriers. Animal studies show potential for accumulation in the liver, spleen, and kidneys. While concentrations in oral care may be low, long-term daily use raises valid concerns.
The Biological Approach
It really boils down to an "outside -> in" vs "inside -> out" philosophy. The inside-out concept is often thought of as terrain theory. If you are healthy, as I have described in other articles on this site, teeth can heal and defend themselves properly. Cavities don't occur when the environment is healthy. And the environment is created by us in response to diet, gut health, sleep, etc.
Enamel doesn’t heal because of an ingredient. It heals when the terrain is restored, when the fluids are structured, the minerals are circulating, and the energetic channels are open.
The HA idea attempts to overwrite these systems, filling holes instead of rebuilding from within. HA doesn't provide any nutritional, organ-supportive, or digestive benefit for example. It is simply an outside-in band aid -- a surface filler -- not a terrain remedy.
So should we use it or not?
Naturally-sourced HA is not likely to be harmful -- that is IF it's naturally sourced, IF the particles are micro-sized, and IF the particles are shaped properly (spherical, not needle-shaped).
You can use it to help teeth. But do not make the mistake of thinking it is remedying any metabolic imbalance. Instead, our energy should be placed on how to heal from the inside out. Doing things like balancing calcium-magnesium, getting enough naturally-sourced fat-soluble vitamins, correcting airway issues so as to balance our acidity, and healing our gut are a much better way to help teeth and whole-body health for the long haul.
Remember, your body was designed to heal. Help it by supporting your system, not patching the holes.
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