While fluoride is an effective treatment for a number of dental issues, studies suggest that nano hydroxyapatite may be effective in addressing dental issues while posing fewer potential risks for systemic toxicity than fluoride

Certain populations, such as pregnant women and those at risk for dental fluorosis, in particular will benefit from switching to nano hydroxyapatite toothpaste over fluoride toothpaste.

This article will explain everything you need to know about nano hydroxyapatite and its comparative efficacy to fluoride.

What is the difference between fluoride and nano-hydroxyapatite?

Dental professionals use fluoride and hydroxyapatite to control dental caries and for other regenerative dentistry practices.

Both fluoride and hydroxyapatite toothpaste are effective at remineralizing initial caries lesions and strengthening tooth enamel.

That being said, both substances work differently and have different implications for your oral health.

How Fluoride Works

Fluoridated toothpaste works by depositing fluoride minerals back into your enamel. The two most common forms include:

• Stannous fluoride

• Sodium fluoride

Dentists typically prescribe fluoride toothpaste to build stronger cavity resistant teeth, but it is not the only effective treatment.

How Nano Hydroxyapatite Works

Nano hydroxyapatite toothpaste works by depositing calcium and phosphate ions back into your tooth structure. This process is effective for:

• Strengthening your teeth

• Fighting sensitive teeth

• Reducing caries incidence

In fact, nano hydroxyapatite is a material your body already makes.

Thus, nano hydroxyapatite toothpaste is a biomimetic oral care agent that won't disrupt a healthy oral microbiome.

Comparison: Fluoride vs. Nano Hydroxyapatite

Both hydroxyapatite and fluoride toothpastes are effective for:

• Fighting tooth decay

• Remineralizing initial caries lesions

• Preventing dental caries

• Soothing hypersensitivity

However, they work differently and have different implications for your holistic health.

Mechanism

While fluoride toothpastes work by depositing fluoride ions into your enamel, fluoride-free toothpaste with hydroxyapatite works by depositing naturally beneficial materials like calcium and phosphate ions into your enamel.

Since your enamel is already made of calcium and phosphate, among other materials, synthetic hydroxyapatite reinforces the existing tooth structure.

Efficacy

Nano hydroxyapatite toothpastes are equally as effective as fluoride toothpaste.

Studies show there are no significant difference between the efficacy of nano hydroxyapatite toothpaste and fluoride toothpastes to remineralize initial enamel fissures.

Safety

Since nano hydroxyapatite is a naturally occurring material that your body already makes, there are no safety or toxicity concerns.

On the other hand, fluoride is a controversial ingredient in dentistry for its role in negatively affecting fetal brain development and causing dental fluorosis.

Affordability

Nano hydroxyapatite is a more expensive ingredient than fluoride. Thus, nano hydroxyapatite toothpastes tend to be more expensive than fluoridated toothpastes.

Availability

Fluoride toothpastes are more widely available and can be found at any grocery store, drug store, or online. Hydroxyapatite toothpaste brands are less widely available and more likely to be found online than in retail stores.

Do dentists recommend hydroxyapatite?

Yes, dentists recommend nano hydroxyapatite toothpaste for daily use.

Nano hydroxyapatite toothpaste tablets offer various dental benefits and may pose fewer toxicity concerns compared to fluoride, according to some research 

Teeth Sensitivity

Nano hydroxyapatite is an effective treatment for dental hypersensitivity.

Remineralization

Remineralization assessment shows that hydroxyapatite has about the same fluoride effectiveness with minimal, if any, statistically significant difference.

This makes remineralizing toothpaste with hydroxyapatite great alternative to anyone concerned about toxicity.

Reversing Cavities

Nano hydroxyapatite has been shown to reverse small cavities and prevent new cavities from forming.

Is Nano hydroxyapatite safer than fluoride?

Research indicates that nano hydroxyapatite may be safe and non-toxic for use in oral care. 

Unlike fluoride products, nHA is considered to be a safe treatment option in oral care. Fluoride has been shown to alter thyroid function, induce toxicity, and cause other systemic issues.

Neurodegenerative Disease

Fluoride is under suspicion for its role in neurological disease. For example, in this randomized controlled clinical trial, fluoride toothpaste was associated with adverse effects of children's' neurological development.

Pediatric Safety

Fluoride has been shown to be damaging to the growth and development of a fetus during pregnancy.

Dental Fluorosis

Excessive use of fluoride products in oral care causes the discoloration of your teeth through a condition called dental fluorosis.

By switching to a more natural formula, such as nano hydroxyapatite toothpaste, you can reduce your chances of messing on your smile.

Benefits of Nano Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste

Nano hydroxyapatite treats many different dental conditions and is an ideal ingredient in your daily toothpaste.

Enamel Remineralization

Remineralization assessment shows that hydroxyapatite has about the same fluoride effectiveness with minimal, if any, statistically significant difference. This makes it a great alternative to anyone concerned about toxicity.

Reducing Dental Hypersensitivity

Nano hydroxyapatite toothpaste are effective at reducing dentin hypersensitivity by protecting your teeth's outer covering called enamel.

Preventing Dental Caries

Demineralized enamel leaves you open to development cavities. Both fluoride and nano hydroxyapatite toothpaste are effective at surface zone remineralization which can result in caries reduction.

Further, hydroxyapatite toothpaste might be a safer option for preventing dental caries in children in order to reduce the risk of dental fluorosis associated with fluoride toothpaste.

Supporting Oral Microbiome and Preventing Disease

Hydroxyapatite inhibits the ability of harmful bacteria to bind to your teeth and form dental plaque. Over time, this helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

Is nano hydroxyapatite toothpaste right for you?

Hydroxyapatite toothpaste could be a suitable option for many individuals, as it may have fewer systemic effects compared to fluoride toothpaste, according to certain studies.

On the other hand, higher fluoride concentrations may be prescribed to patients by dental professionals for particularly bad dental caries and multiple initial caries lesions. Fluoride is typically recommended for dental caries prevention.

Pregnancy

Pregnant women require different fluoride concentrations as compared to other demographics.

This is because fluoride can be harmful to a growing fetus and has been shown to have neurotoxic effects. Multiple studies show there is a negative impact on the intelligence tests in children when pregnant mothers consumed fluoride.

Thus, nano hydroxyapatite toothpaste is more suitable for expectant and nursing mothers.

Hypersensitivity

Since it's a natural substance already found in your teeth and bones, nano hydroxyapatite reduces sensitive teeth effectively by filling in the small holes that your standard diet bores into your teeth over time.

If you deal with sensitivity or consume a diet high in acidity or sugar, you will benefit from switching to nano hydroxyapatite.

Cavities

Many people prone to cavities should consider nano hydroxyapatite toothpaste as their first line of defense.

Hydroxyapatite toothpaste is used by dental professionals to treat cavities as it is highly effective to remineralize tooth structure.

Environment

If you live in an area with a higher fluoride concentration, switching to nano hydroxyapatite toothpaste can help reduce your changes of developing any neurotoxicity of other negative systemic effects associated with fluoride.

Final Thoughts: is nHA better than fluoride?

Evidence suggests that nano hydroxyapatite may be a promising alternative to fluoride in addressing dental issues.

Research indicates that nano hydroxyapatite may be as effective as fluoride in treating various dental conditions, while potentially having fewer associated adverse health outcomes.

Individuals of different age groups, including children, expectant mothers, and the elderly, may find benefits in using nano hydroxyapatite toothpaste like NOBS.