We humans are awfully tough on our teeth. In order to combat some of the damage we do, the tendency is to use a fluoride-infused toothpaste. Fluoride has proven itself to be beneficial to healthy teeth. But there is another option in hydroxyapatite (HA). Is HA better for your teeth than fluoride?
Both fluoride and hydroxyapatite have their advantages. As a fluoride alternative, HA is a worthy competitor. We would recommend that anyone looking for a natural toothpaste at least consider hydroxyapatite toothpaste or toothpaste tablets.
Why They Are Added
You might be wondering why fluoride or HA is added to a toothpaste to begin with. It boils down to the damage done to tooth enamel just through the act of eating and drinking. Tooth enamel is tough. But it is not indestructible.
The foods we eat and drink break down enamel. That leads to enamel erosion and cavities. Both fluoride and HA are designed to limit enamel erosion. They do so in slightly different ways. Regardless, regular brushing with a fluoride or hydroxyapatite toothpaste limits damage.
How They Work
Fluoride has been added to toothpaste and community water systems for decades. It works by incorporating itself into the structure of the tooth. Fluoride actually creates a substance known as fluorapatite; a substance more resistant to acid than natural enamel. It is also antibacterial.
Hydroxyapatite is a biomimetic material. In other words, it mimics the natural layer of enamel on the human tooth. Brushing with a hydroxyapatite toothpaste actually rebuilds by adding a new protective layer to the teeth. This helps to re-mineralize the teeth and protect the enamel from further erosion.
From our perspective, HA's ability to mimic the natural benefits of enamel make it a better choice. Fluoride attracts calcium and phosphate to do what it does. But HA goes further by integrating the materials into the structure of the tooth. You get a more natural remineralization as a result.
The Risk of Fluorosis
Fluoride has a proven track record dating back some seven decades. It is effective in reducing cavities and promoting strong, healthy teeth with a good enamel layer. However, excessive exposure can lead to a condition known as fluorosis.
Fluorosis is not dangerous. It is a cosmetic condition that manifests itself in discolored blotches on the teeth. The darker the blotches, the more noticeable they are.
One of the advantages of HA is that it does not contribute to fluorosis. The material has no known side effects and is completely safe for oral care. But is it as effective as fluoride?
What the Studies Say
It is impossible to write a post of this nature without pointing readers to some scientific studies in support of HA. We already know a lot about fluoride and what it can do. As for HA, there have been a number of studies supporting it as a fluoride alternative.
One study published in the Odontology journal in 2022 shows that HA is as effective as fluoride at preventing cavities. Its cavity prevention properties are rooted in its ability to re-mineralize early-stage lesions in tooth enamel.
A 2019 study published in the BDJ Open journal provides even more support for HA. That study suggested HA may be superior to fluoride in repairing enamel and reducing tooth sensitivity.
We cannotunequivocally say that HA is better than fluoride or vice-versa. We can say both options are proven to help protect teeth. If you are looking for a fluoride alternative, or even a natural toothpaste, consider something with hydroxyapatite. Ecofam sustainable toothpaste tablets contain no fluoride. They do contain HA.
