How toothpaste made from hair could help repair teeth

Researchers in London have developed a dental treatment using keratin, a protein found in hair, skin, and wool, that they say can repair damaged tooth enamel.

"Currently enamel, once it's gone, cannot regenerate itself; it's gone forever. So we need to find solutions,'' said Dr. Sherif Elsharkawy from King's College London, a senior author of a study that suggests keratin can interact with saliva to form a protective coating mimicking natural tooth enamel.

Enamel cannot regenerate once eroded by acidic foods, poor hygiene, or aging.

"So we need to rebuild what you've lost. And with keratin, we've managed to infiltrate early decay and protect the enamel from its loss and [rebuild] what you lose on a daily basis,'' said Elsharkawy.

He added the keratin coating can halt early-stage decay, reduce sensitivity, and reinforce enamel structure.

Unlike conventional dental resins, it can be sustainably sourced from biological waste like wool or human hair.

“Keratin is present in multiple sources, including sheep wool, human hair, feathers, nails, and hooves. This material is a waste, basically. So how can we get the core of that material, which is keratin, and try to repurpose it in a way that can be useful for our population?”

The technology requires further clinical trials to ensure long-term efficacy and scalability.

But Elsharkawy says the research team is in discussions with potential dental industry partners, and he sees a clear path to bringing the project to market.

He says keratin-based dental products, like toothpastes and gels, could become available to consumers within two to three years.

"I believe I have a dream that regenerative medicine doesn't have to be expensive in order for people to access it."

Globally, oral diseases pose a major health challenge.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates oral diseases affect about 3.5 billion people, causing pain, discomfort, disfigurement, and even death. – Reuters