Breakthrough: Keratin toothpaste can make enamel regeneration possible soon

A long-standing challenge

Enamel erosion is one of the most common and irreversible problems in dentistry. Acidic foods and drinks, poor oral hygiene, and the natural ageing process slowly wear away this protective outer layer, leading to tooth sensitivity, pain, and eventually tooth loss. Current solutions—ranging from fluoride toothpastes to restorative procedures—can slow damage or replace lost structure, but they cannot bring enamel back.

The keratin discovery

In a breakthrough study published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, scientists revealed that keratin, a protein found in hair, skin, and wool, can actually help regrow enamel-like structures. When applied to the tooth surface, keratin interacts with minerals naturally present in saliva to form a highly organised, crystal-like scaffold. This scaffold mimics the structure and function of natural enamel and continues to attract calcium and phosphate ions over time, leading to the growth of a protective enamel-like coating.

Unlike conventional fluoride approaches, which primarily slow down demineralisation, keratin-based treatments were shown to stop early decay completely. The protein not only reinforces the tooth structure but also seals off exposed nerve channels, providing both structural repair and relief from sensitivity.

From lab to clinic

The researchers envision multiple delivery options for this innovation:

• As a daily-use toothpaste for widespread prevention and repair.
• As a professionally applied gel, similar to nail varnish, for targeted treatment of damaged areas.

With clinical pathways already being explored, keratin-based enamel regeneration could reach patients within the next two to three years—a remarkably short horizon for such a transformative development.

A step toward regenerative dentistry

This advance, a preclinical framework, represents more than a new material—it signals a paradigm shift. For the first time, enamel loss may no longer be seen as permanent. Dentistry is shifting from a model of “drilling and filling” toward one of biological restoration—repairing teeth in a manner that mimics nature's original design.

If successful, keratin could turn the once-impossible dream of enamel regeneration into a clinical reality, marking a defining moment in the future of oral healthcare.

Reference:

1. Gamea S, Radvar E, Athanasiadou D, Chan RL, De Sero G, Ware E, Kundi S, Patel A, Hormaee S, Hadadi S, Carlsen M, Allison L, Fleck R, Chan KLA, Banerjee A, Pugno N, Liebi M, Sharpe PT, Carneiro K, Elsharkawy S. Biomimetic Mineralization of Keratin Scaffolds for Enamel Regeneration. Adv Healthc Mater. 2025 Aug 12:e02465. doi: 10.1002/adhm.202502465. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40793834.

2. Toothpaste made from hair provides natural root to repair teeth

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