Scientists Investigate Hair-Derived Keratin in Toothpaste to Rebuild Enamel
Researchers at King’s College London have made an exciting discovery: keratin—normally found in hair, skin, and wool—can be used in a novel approach to repair tooth enamel and arrest early decay. They developed a formulation wherein keratin, when applied to the tooth surface and exposed to natural minerals in saliva, acts as a scaffold to guide enamel-like mineral growth.
In laboratory experiments, keratin molecules self-assemble into a highly organized, crystal-like framework. That scaffold attracts calcium and phosphate ions from saliva, gradually building a layer that mimics native enamel in both structure and function. Because human enamel cannot regenerate naturally once lost, this method represents a major step forward in regenerative dentistry.
One of the appealing features of this approach is its sustainability: the keratin used can be sourced from biological waste like hair or wool, reducing reliance on synthetic, resin-based restorative materials. The researchers suggest that in just two to three years, we might begin seeing keratin-infused toothpastes or professional keratin gel applications in dental practices.
Dr. Sherif Elsharkawy, senior author and prosthodontics consultant at King’s, emphasized the transformative potential: using something as simple as proteins from hair to help regrow protective tooth structure. Meanwhile, Sara Gamea, a PhD researcher on the project, noted that keratin not only supports enamel repair but also more closely matches natural tooth color and avoids the toxicity concerns of some synthetic dental materials.
As the world becomes more concerned with environmental sustainability and reducing the use of plastics and synthetic chemicals in health care, keratin-based dental products could align with circular economy principles by reusing waste biomaterials. Oral Health Group
Still, the researchers acknowledge that this is an early stage of development. There will need to be extensive clinical testing to ensure safety, durability, and efficacy in human mouths before keratin toothpaste becomes a standard treatment. But the results so far are promising and point to a future where we might “grow” stronger smiles from naturally derived materials.
📖 Original Article Info (English)
“Scientists explore using hair keratin in toothpaste to repair tooth enamel.”
Oral Health Group, August 14, 2025