Why We Use Hydroxyapatite Instead of Fluoride Toothpaste

It’s been a few years since I used any type of fluoride toothpaste. My kids are currently 3 and 4 years old and have never used fluoride. I also decline it each time at their dentist appointments. I’m confident that their teeth are still developing strongly and staying protected despite non-use of fluoride because of a great alternative we use, called hydroxyapatite.

Let me preface by saying when I was young, my mouth was full of cavities. I would go to the pediatric dentist and have multiple fillings at a rip, year after year. I was using fluoride toothpaste back then, twice a day, and had regular fluoride treatments so I can’t say I have a great deal of trust in fluoride protecting teeth from cavities.

Throughout most of my life, I was a happy user of Colgate and Crest toothpaste (shoot, I even used Crest Whitestrips, which I regretted because my teeth started to appear transparent after a while). That was until I realized the some of the dangers of the ingredients used in many conventional toothpastes products. Triclosan, for instance, was used in Colgate Total up until 2019. An endocrine disruptive chemical, triclosan was first used as a pesticide in the 1960s! As if that wasn’t sketchy enough, I also realized I didn’t want to be cleaning my mouth with artificial colors, sweeteners, and flavors.

Also, once I began learning about fluoride, I grew more wary of it. Specifically, when I realized the white spots I always had on my front teeth were likely dental fluorosis – a condition due to over-consumption of fluoride. It’s certainly a controversial ingredient… in both toothpaste products and drinking water supply. The biggest problem that I personally have with fluoride is the link it has with neurotoxicity in children and lower IQs. This shouldn’t be taken lightly!

So, I began brushing with natural, fluoride-free toothpastes – usually Tom’s brand or Hello, which I could easily find at Target.

Then I began hearing about what seemed to be a trendy “new” ingredient (though not really new at all), hydroxyapatite. When I started hearing holistic dentists recommend hydroxyapatite toothpaste, I decided to look more into it.

What is hydroxyapatite?

Hydroxyapatite is a naturally occurring mineral that is the chief component of bones and teeth. It makes up 97% of our tooth enamel. It has been proven to strengthen and protect teeth from decay. Hydroxyapatite has actually been used in dentistry since 1979, in things like tooth replacements, fillings/cements, and polishing material.

Studies have shown that hydroxyapatite toothpaste is AS EFFECTIVE as fluoride toothpaste at remineralizing and protecting teeth from decay… without the adverse side affects. As this NIH publication states: “Studies on biocompatibility have shown that hydroxyapatite chemically binds to bone and induces no phenomena of toxicity nor inflammatory, local or systemic.” When used as a toothpaste, hydroxyapatite is able to bind to teeth, acting as a shield and as a filler to repair small depressions and holes in the surface of enamel.

What I love most about it is that it’s safe enough to eat. I certainly wouldn’t eat it, but it gives me much more peace of mind allowing my kids to brush with it.

My favorite hydroxyapatite toothpaste

Though it’s been around for quiet a while, hydroxyapatite toothpaste is certainly gaining popularity among consumers, and more and more toothpaste manufacturers are including the ingredient as a fluoride alternative. The brand that we personally use and love is RiseWell. It’s 100% natural and gives us a true clean feeling after brushing.

I’m not going to lie though – this toothpaste is more expensive than the conventional toothpaste brands you may be used to, although not that much more than other natural toothpastes out there. At the time I’m writing this post, a tube of RiseWell costs $12… a lot more than the tubes I used to buy off the shelf for $3-6. I am very happy with this toothpaste though, and find the quality, safety, and peace of mind worth the cost. Every once in a while, RiseWell will have a 15% discount offer through their website, and I’ll usually stock up then. The kids love the cake batter flavor, but they also frequently use my wild mint flavor.