Toothpaste made from hair could offer a ‘sustainable and clinically effective way’ to protect and repair damaged teeth.
In a new study published by King’s College London, scientists discovered that keratin – a protein found in hair, skin and wool – can repair tooth enamel and stop early stages of decay.
The team found that keratin produces a protective coating that mimics the structure and function of natural enamel when it comes into contact with minerals in saliva. While fluoride toothpastes are currently used to slow this process, keratin-based treatments were found to stop it completely, the study said.
The treatment could be delivered through a toothpaste for daily use or as a professionally applied gel, similar to nail varnish, for more targeted repair. The scientists are already exploring pathways for clinical application and believes that keratin-based enamel regeneration could be made available to the public within the next two to three years.
Bridging a gap
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. 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.
‘Keratin also looks much more natural than these treatments, as it can more closely match the colour of the original tooth.’
In the study, published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, the scientists extracted keratin from wool. They found 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. This mimics the structure and function of natural enamel.
Sara added: ‘This technology bridges the gap between biology and dentistry, providing an eco-friendly biomaterial that mirrors natural processes.’
As concerns grow over the sustainability of healthcare materials, the researchers say the discovery positions keratin as a leading candidate for future dental care.
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