Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste Isn't New, It Just Seems That Way

There has been a lot of talk about hydroxyapatite toothpaste within the last 12-18 months. So much so that there is now a misunderstanding about it being relatively new. It is not. Hydroxyapatite toothpaste has been around for 40 years. More recent is the development of hydroxyapatite toothpaste tablets, like those we produce at EcoFam.

So why all the hype if hydroxyapatite toothpaste isn't new? You can thank fluoride discussions for that. For generations, we have thought nothing of adding fluoride to toothpaste. But with recent concerns over fluoride's long-term safety for children, hydroxyapatite has re-emerged as a safer alternative.

Its Roots in Space Exploration

Utilizing hydroxyapatite to improve human health has its roots in space exploration. More specifically, NASA began looking at ways to incorporate the natural substance in its efforts to combat bone density loss in space. Remember that bodies in space are subject to microgravity. In turn, spending extended amounts of time in space can lead to bone loss.

NASA also looked at hydroxyapatite as a means of replacing lost minerals in the teeth. They actually came up with a usable product in the early 1970s. Meanwhile, a Japanese company purchased reproduction rights from NASA. By 1980, they were ready to launch the first commercially available hydroxyapatite toothpaste. As they say, the rest is history.

What Hydroxyapatite Actually Is

Hydroxyapatite is a mineral form of calcium apatite. It is naturally occurring. Furthermore, it is the main mineral component of the enamel in human teeth. It is found throughout human bones in plentiful volume.

Since it is both naturally occurring and critical to maintaining strong teeth and bones, hydroxyapatite is often included in dietary supplements as a calcium source. But as we have already explained, it is also added to toothpaste to promote remineralization and strong enamel.

Fluoride is often added to toothpaste for the same reason. But again, there are new concerns with fluoride and its impact on the brain. We know of no such concerns with hydroxyapatite. Furthermore, because hydroxyapatite naturally exists inhuman bones and teeth, it would be shocking to learn that adding it to toothpaste would create unnecessary health risks.

We Prefer Hydroxyapatite

Although we do not make hydroxyapatite toothpaste here at EcoFam, we prefer hydroxyapatite for our toothpaste tablets. We choose to use it instead of fluoride. That makes our toothpaste tablets ideal if you want a new way to brush your teeth that doesn't include fluoride.

You will not find fluoride in our mouthwash tablets or mouthwash concentrate, either. However, that's a different topic for another post. Let's wrap this one up by briefly talking about toothpaste tablets and why we believe they are superior to traditional toothpaste in tubes.

Toothpaste Without the Water or Tube

Think of toothpaste tablets as traditional toothpaste but without the water and plastic tube. Eliminating the water makes manufacturing and shipping more efficient and less costly. Eliminating the tube takes plastic out of the waste stream. From our perspective, both benefits make toothpaste tablets a more sustainable choice.

Using toothpaste tablets isn't hard, though it can take some getting used to. You just pop a tablet or two in your mouth, chew for a few seconds to form a paste, and then brush as normal. Rinse, spit, and you're done.

While you are thinking about the possibility of switching to toothpaste tablets, remember that hydroxyapatite toothpaste is not new. It just seems that way because of the recent attention fluoride has been getting. Hydroxyapatite has been a key ingredient in toothpaste for over forty years. We prefer it for our sustainable toothpaste tablets.