Hair Today, Toothpaste Tomorrow

A team at King's College, London, has discovered that keratin, a protein found in hair and skin, can create a protective crystalline coating that mimics natural enamel when interacting with minerals in saliva. This finding suggests the potential for keratin-based enamel regeneration products, such as toothpaste, to be available within 2-3 years. While this innovation offers sustainability benefits by using biological products instead of plastic resins, it also raises concerns about encouraging excessive sugar consumption, which is a primary cause of dental caries. Despite the excitement around this development, the emphasis should remain on preventing dental disease through proper oral hygiene and limiting sugar intake.