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Scientists develop toothpaste ‘made from hair’
Keratin, a protein found in hair, skin and wool, can repair tooth enamel.
Will Peakin
Toothpaste ‘made from hair’ may offer a sustainable and clinically effective way to protect and repair damaged teeth, according to scientists.
In a study a King’s College London team found that that keratin, a protein found in hair, skin and wool, can repair tooth enamel and stop early stages of decay.
It produces a protective coating that mimics the structure and function of natural enamel when it comes into contact with minerals in saliva.
Dr Sherif Elsharkawy, senior author and consultant in prosthodontics at King’s College London, said: “Unlike bones and hair, enamel does not regenerate, once it is lost, it’s gone forever.”
While fluoride toothpastes slow decay, keratin-based treatments were found to stop it completely. Keratin forms a dense mineral layer that protects the tooth and seals off exposed nerve channels that cause sensitivity, offering both structural and symptomatic relief.
The treatment could be delivered through a toothpaste for daily use or as a professionally applied gel for more targeted repair. The team is 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.
In their study, published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, the scientists extracted keratin from wool. They discovered 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 that mimics the structure and function of natural enamel.
Over time, this scaffold continues to attract calcium and phosphate ions, leading to the growth of a protective enamel-like coating around the tooth. This marks a significant step forward in regenerative dentistry.
Sara Gamea, PhD researcher at King’s College 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.”
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