Study finds hair protein can actively rebuild teeth

UK – New research from King’s College London has uncovered a groundbreaking method to regenerate tooth enamel using keratin, a protein commonly found in human hair, skin, and wool. 

This discovery represents a breakthrough in dental science, as enamel, the hard outer layer of the tooth, has long been known to lack the ability to regenerate naturally like bone or hair.

The research revealed that when keratin is extracted, for example, from sheep wool and applied to teeth, it interacts with minerals naturally present in saliva to form a highly organized, crystal-like scaffold that mimics the structure of natural enamel. 

This scaffold attracts calcium and phosphate ions, actively promoting the growth of a protective enamel-like layer over the tooth’s surface. 

This process not only helps rebuild enamel that has been lost but also seals exposed nerve channels, which can reduce tooth sensitivity and provide a natural defence against decay.

Dr. Sherif Elsharkawy, senior clinical lecturer and consultant in Prosthodontics at the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, at King’s College London, England, emphasized that this natural, protein-based approach has the potential to revolutionize how dental care is delivered. 

He stated, “Our findings open the door to keratin-based oral care products that do more than protect teeth.”

“They actively rebuild lost enamel, and could be formulated into daily-use products such as toothpaste and mouthwash, which would be our first go-to-market strategy.” 

Unlike traditional fluoride toothpastes, which can only slow down the erosion of enamel, keratin-based treatments could reverse tooth decay by regenerating the enamel itself.

This innovation offers an eco-friendly solution, as the keratin used can be sustainably sourced from biological waste such as hair clippings and skin.

Moreover, it avoids the need for plastic resins that are commonly used in dental fillings, which tend to be less durable and have environmental drawbacks.

This research paves the way for a future where tooth decay is not merely managed or prevented but can be healed through the natural regeneration of enamel, with a key ingredient found right in our hair. 

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