We all want strong teeth without the negative side effects.
Hydroxyapatite or Nano-Hydroxyapatite
Both nano hydroxyapatite (nHA) and hydroxyapatite (HA) are forms of the same naturally occurring mineral that makes up our teeth and bones.
nHA is created by breaking down HA into nanoscale particles, which are extremely small and have unique properties. Despite its small size, nHA works by remineralizing tooth enamel, repair initial stages of tooth decay, strengthen the tooth structure, and soothe tooth sensitivity.
The quick background is that, in the 1970s, NASA researchers explored HA to help prevent bone and tooth loss in astronauts during extended space missions. In microgravity, astronauts experience rapid bone demineralization and tooth demineralization due to the lack of mechanical loading (no gravity = less stress on bones and teeth). These early NASA-related studies helped spark interest in HA for medical and dental applications, including its later use in bone grafts, coatings, and toothpaste. Fluoride does not have the minerals we're made of. This is why we see HA as the golden standard in many places like Japan, Canada, Italy and other european countries since the 1970's. To many, especially in America, HA seems new but its really been around and studied for decades. And its biomimemtic, meaning: ITS WHAT WE'RE MADE OF. 97% of our enamel, 70% of dentin and 60% of bone are all made of this! Plus, my common sense tells me that if God built me this way, we should honor and support that.
In the 1970s, the U.S. FDA began establishing OTC drug monographs, including one for anti-caries (anti-cavity) drug products, which was part of a larger project to regulate the safety and effectiveness of nonprescription drugs.
At the time, no manufacturer or party submitted sufficient clinical data to the FDA to support the effectiveness of HA as an anti-caries active ingredient.
Without that data, the FDA had no basis to evaluate or include it.
We now have clinical evidence to support the benefits of HA to prevent decay, especially in the proper concentration, ideally sitting at 10%, is considered 'no less effective' than fluoride. And because we struggle in this country to let go of things we have believed in for so long, (hello Listerine and Scope-dangerous!) its hard to realize with updated data that perhaps we should reconsider our stance on fluoride and accept that nHA is simply as effective as fluoride, without the risks.
The size of Hydroxyapatite is too large to penetrate enamel structure so its typically used in other forms/ways vs toothpaste.
Nano-Hydroxyapatite simply has a smaller structure, hence nano, which is necessary for uptake into the tooth structure. It also better mimics natural enamel more closely in both size and structure which is why you'll see toothpastes using nano-Ha. Simply put, Nano-hydroxyapatite is a form of Hydroxyapatite, and they offer the same benefits, however, nano is superior as it works faster and at a much higher level.