Hair-derived keratin toothpaste: A natural enamel repair revolution

The unexpected dental elixir is keratin. The study found that keratin can generate a dense mineral coating that closely mimics natural enamel when applied to a tooth’s surface and combined with minerals in the saliva. Unlike fluoride toothpastes, which can only slow the process of enamel erosion and loss, keratin has the potential to provide both structural repair and symptomatic relief by sealing dentinal tubules exposed during enamel loss.

In the study’s laboratory experiments, keratin treatment formed an enamel-like scaffold that continued to attract calcium and phosphate ions from saliva, enabling gradual enamel-like coating growth over time. In fact, the keratin coating outperformed conventional resin used in treatment of early caries, forming a layer five to six times harder.

The keratin used in the study can be sustainably derived—from sources such as wool or waste human hair—offering an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic or toxic materials frequently employed in restorative dentistry. Reimagining hair clippings or similar biological waste as biomaterials aligns with growing trends in circular, sustainable healthcare innovations.

The researchers reported that keratin may soon be formulated into everyday toothpaste or a professionally applied gel for targeted enamel repair. Commercial products could feasibly be released within the next two to three years, pending studies on formulation, taste, safety and dosing, as well as clinical trials.

Commenting on the enormous potential such emergent techniques hold for public oral health, senior author Dr Sherif Elsharkawy, clinical lecturer in prosthodontics at King’s College London, stated: “We are entering an exciting era where biotechnology allows us to not just treat symptoms but restore biological function using the body’s own materials. With further development and the right industry partnerships, we may soon be growing stronger, healthier smiles from something as simple as a haircut.”

While experts not involved in the study have cautioned that the technology is in the early stages and still requires clinical validation, the potential of a cheap, abundant and biodegradable biomaterial to naturally repair tooth enamel may mark a transformative shift in preventive and restorative dentistry.

The study, titled “Biomimetic mineralization of keratin scaffolds for enamel regeneration”, was published online on 12 August 2025 in Advanced Healthcare Materials ahead of inclusion in an issue.