Scientists at KCL discover toothpaste made from your own hair can protect enamel

Scientists from King’s College London have discovered that toothpaste made from hair can protect your enamel.

In a recently published study, the scientists found that keratin, a protein found in skin, nails and hair, can repair tooth enamel and stop early stages of decay.

The team also discovered the protein produces a protective coating that mimics the structure of enamel. This occurs when it comes into contact with minerals found in saliva, the BBC reports.

Acidic food and drink, aging, and poor oral hygiene can lead to enamel erosion, leading to tooth decay and possibly tooth loss. This can be problematic as enamel cannot be replaced once it is lost.

Whilst fluoride toothpastes are currently used to slow tooth decay, the study showed keratin treatments can stop it completely. The formula can be applied through toothpaste, mouthwash or a nail varnish-like gel coated by dentists.

via Unsplash

Sara Gamea, lead author on the project and PhD researcher at King’s, said: “Keratin offers a transformative alternative to current dental treatments.”

“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,” she added.

As concerns evolve over long-term fluoride use, this breakthrough study places keratin at the forefront of the future of dentistry and dental treatment.

The research also aligns with efforts to reduce waste, increase sustainability and transform what would be discarded into valuable clinical resources.

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Dr Sherif Elsharkawy, senior author and consultant in prosthodontics at King’s, said: “We are entering an exciting era where biotechnology allows us to not just treat symptoms but restore biological function using the body’s own materials.”

He added that the technology could be available for patients in the next couple of years.

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Featured image via Canva