Davids blog
is hydroxyapatite safe? why this superhero is the best choice for the whole family
Hydroxyapatite has become oral care’s newest hero ingredient, and for good reason. As it continues to gain popularity for adults and children alike, it’s natural to wonder.... is hydroxyapatite safe? With all the remineralizing power of fluoride (and none of the potential unwanted side effects), we assure you that hydroxyapatite is safe and effective. Grab your favorite flavor (mint or orange vanilla?) and get excited about a safe, out-of-this-world oral care routine for the whole family! what is hydroxyapatite? Hydroxyapatite is a naturally occurring mineral mainly made up of phosphorus and calcium. It already exists in your body, forming the foundations of your bones and teeth. In fact, hydroxyapatite makes up about 65–70% of healthy bones and 95-97% of healthy enamel. When we talk about hydroxyapatite in the context of oral care, you’ll often hear us refer to it as nano-hydroxyapatite. The version of hydroxyapatite you’ll find in your toothpaste is biomimetic, meaning it mimics the makeup and function of the hydroxyapatite inside your body. Nano-hydroxyapatite is simply teeny tiny particles of regular hydroxyapatite. We infuse these tiny particles into our oral care products for effective enamel remineralization. The nano-particles effortlessly bind to your enamel, penetrating the surface to fill any holes, scratches, or other imperfections to reveal stronger teeth that are more protected against bacteria, plaque, gum disease, sensitivity, and tooth decay progression. Because hydroxyapatite already exists in your teeth, it’s an ideal ingredient when it comes to enamel remineralization. When it enters your oral microbiome, it feels at home, and it knows exactly what to do! So, what is hydroxyapatite? It’s an oral care superhero! is hydroxyapatite safe? Not only is hydroxyapatite effective, it’s extremely safe! Because it already exists in your body, there’s absolutely no risk of over-ingestion (this is not the case for fluoride, which we’ll cover in the next section). It’s biomimetic, biocompatible, and non-toxic, and if that sounds like a bunch of jargon, we understand. Let’s take a closer look at what these words mean. biomimetic: as mentioned above, this just means that the nano-hydroxyapatite in your toothpaste mimics the material naturally found in your teeth and bones. biocompatible: this means that hydroxyapatite will function without any unplanned side effects, and it will not cause any harm when it comes in contact with your body. non-toxic: similar to biocompatible, non-toxic means hydroxyapatite does not contain any harmful chemicals, and it will not pose any danger or unwanted symptoms. So, is hydroxyapatite safe? Absolutely, it’s safe for adults, pregnant women, and children who haven’t yet mastered the art of tooth brushing. Hydroxyapatite brings you 100% benefits and 0% harm. What’s not to love? hydroxyapatite vs fluoride Now, we’ve covered why hydroxyapatite is a safe choice for kids and adults, but how does that compare to the long-time oral care superstar: fluoride? First things first, let's peek at the history of these two ingredients. Fluoride gained popularity in 1945 when a city in Michigan began adding fluoride to its drinking water in an effort to reduce tooth decay...and it worked! Ever since then, it’s been the go-to ingredient for remineralization, and the main ticket for an ADA stamp of approval. A few decades later in 1970, NASA began to use hydroxyapatite as a supplement for their astronauts. After returning from low-gravity environments, hydroxyapatite supplementation helped astronauts successfully strengthen their teeth and bones. Shortly after that, hydroxyapatite found its way into commercial toothpaste. (And it’s remained the gold standard for oral care in Japan ever since.) Although fluoride has stolen the oral care spotlight in the US, recent research proves that it’s just as effective as (if not more effective than) fluoride at remineralizing your enamel. This 2019 study compared hydroxyapatite toothpaste with two fluoride toothpastes, concluding that hydroxyapatite is a safe, effective substitute. This 2019 study concluded hydroxyapatite oral care products might be safer for kids prone to dental caries. This 2020 study reveals that hydroxyapatite remineralizes dental caries as effectively as fluoride. This 2022 study confirms that hydroxyapatite products are a safe alternative to fluoride for young children at risk of fluorosis (which we’ll discuss in a moment). And that’s just a few of the many studies! When it comes to hydroxyapatite vs fluoride, the main difference is that fluoride is not considered biocompatible, meaning it can be toxic and harmful when ingested in large amounts. When you ingest too much fluoride through water, food, and oral care products, it can lead to fluorosis. what is fluorosis? Dental fluorosis is an unwanted side effect that occurs when you consume too much fluoride, causing white and/or brown speckles to form on your teeth. It typically occurs when children over-consume fluoride in their early years when their permanent teeth are still developing. While the condition is not harmful to your overall health, it’s certainly not desirable. Beyond dental fluorosis, ongoing research suggests that serious fluoride toxicity can cause long-term harm, and the thought of that alone is enough for us to turn to hydroxyapatite instead. With hydroxyapatite, you don’t have to worry about fluoride toxicity for you or your little ones! Your kids are free to accidentally swallow hydroxyapatite without worry, and we think that peace of mind is well worth challenging the oral care norms. best hydroxyapatite toothpaste At Davids, we have two delicious, effective hydroxyapatite toothpaste options for the whole family. For mint lovers, our original sensitive+whitening nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste is the perfect option. It’s formulated with premium mint oils for the perfect invigorating flavor and all of the effective remineralization powers of our nano-hydroxyapatite particles. In fact, our third-party lab testing showed it outperformed leading sensitive toothpastes, remineralizing and repairing enamel to reduce sensitivity more effectively than Apagard Premio, Boka, Colgate Sensitive, Risewell, Sensodyne Pronamel, and Toms Sensitive. Our NEW orange vanilla hydroxyapatite toothpaste for kids + adults is perfect for those looking for a juicy, mouthwatering alternative to mint. It’s made with the same nano-hydroxyapatite particles (and other effective ingredients) as the option above, we just replaced our premium mint oils with naturally sourced fruit flavors. So whether you’re craving cool mint or fruity orange vanilla, get the whole family brushing with these deliciously effective hydroxyapatite toothpaste options. And feel peace of mind knowing each formula nurtures strong, healthy teeth in the safest way. buy now.
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what causes cavities? our top five tips for holistic and natural cavity prevention
Before we dive into natural cavity prevention, let’s talk about what causes cavities. As Dr. Mark of Ask the Dentist explains, our teeth naturally know how to heal themselves, which is why it’s possible to keep the same set of teeth your whole life!How do your teeth self-repair? Between daily wear and tear, your saliva delivers a much-needed mineral supply to your teeth. This allows your teeth to remineralize any spots that have been weakened or damaged by bacteria (the beginning of a cavity). If your teeth aren’t getting a steady supply of minerals (or the bacteria in your mouth are too overpowering), those spots will continue to weaken and form a cavity.Conventional dentistry will tell you that you either have to brush with a potent synthetic fluoride toothpaste or “drill and fill” once your cavity has reached the point of no return. But we’re here to tell you that natural, proactive remineralization should be your focus and first line of defense against potential cavities. You can help your teeth achieve this natural remineralization by using Davids sensitive + whitening toothpaste, aka the best hydroxyapatite toothpaste, as well as the other holistic health habits we’ve outlined below. 1: take inventory of your oral health status We’re all starting at a different baseline when it comes to cavities and overall oral health.Even if we all had the same holistic oral care habits, we’d still have different outcomes. This is because different conditions can play a role in your susceptibility to cavities.You can start your natural cavity prevention journey by taking inventory of your overall oral health status. We recommend asking yourself the following questions. What does your tongue look like? Is it an even pink tone, or does it have discoloration, grooves, textures, or a white coating? Your tongue is always trying to tell you something about your oral and overall health. You can investigate by using some of the info in our previous article here. You can also take the first step to a healthier tongue by adding our professional tongue scraper to your daily routine! Are you dealing with dry mouth at night or throughout the day? Dry mouth will put you at a huge disadvantage when it comes to cavities. As we mentioned before, saliva plays a huge role in flushing out bacteria and toxins....as well as delivering essential minerals to your teeth. Dry mouth can be caused by your habits, mouth breathing at night, genetics, medications, and beyond. When was the last time you went to the dentist? Are you up to date on your x-rays? You could already be starting with cavities you don’t even know about. How’s your oral care routine looking? Are you brushing daily with remineralizing ingredients, like the ones found in our hydroxyapatite toothpaste? Are you flossing daily? No matter how clean your oral care routine is (or how stellar your oral health is), it’s always a good idea to check in every now and then. Now, let’s head into some other specific tips for natural cavity prevention. 2: prioritize specific vitamins and nutrients in your diet Hydroxyapatite, the hero ingredient in our remineralizing toothpaste (and fluoride's biggest competitor), is composed of calcium and phosphorus. These elements are essential for your oral health, so it’s crucial that you’re getting a natural supply of these in your diet. Magnesium, vitamin D, and vitamin K2 are also essential nutrients when it comes to your oral health, so let’s discuss some ways you can ensure you’re getting enough of them through your diet....and how they support natural cavity prevention. calcium: famously known as the nutrient needed for “strong bones and teeth,” calcium plays an important role in preventing cavities. It gives your enamel (the hard outer surface of your teeth) strength, and you can up your calcium levels by consuming dairy, chia seeds, sardines, salmon, almonds, beans, lentils, whey protein, tofu, and leafy greens. phosphorous: as another building block of your enamel, phosphorus is essential for your oral health. You can get more of it in your diet through the foods mentioned in the bullet point above + poultry, red meat, and more seafood. vitamin D: your body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium, and you can get more vitamin D naturally by getting out in the sun (carefully for a limited amount of time) and eating more fatty fish, mushrooms, oysters, shrimp, and egg yolks. vitamin K2: this vitamin activates a protein that helps calcium bind to our teeth and bones to do its remineralizing. You can get more K2 through fermented soy (Natto), sauerkraut, butter, chicken, beef liver, and egg yolks. magnesium: another mineral that helps your body absorb calcium (and activate vitamin D), magnesium is essential when it comes to forming strong enamel. Strong enamel is your first line of defense against tooth decay. You can get more magnesium through nuts, oats, seeds, spinach, soy, and supplementation. You can see that there’s a lot of overlap between each bullet point, meaning most of these foods are well-rounded and nutrient-dense! See if you can make some of them staples in your diet. 3: limit sugar and acidity in your diet In addition to adding mouth-healthy foods to your diet, you can support natural cavity prevention by limiting your intake of acidic and/or sugary foods and drinks. The cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth love to feed on sugar and use it to produce acid that breaks down your enamel. In a similar manner, directly consuming acidic foods and drinks (like citrus fruits, grapes, pineapple, vinegar, and alcohol) can weaken your enamel and make it more prone to decay. 4: listen to your gut While it may not be the first thing you think of, your gut plays a central role in your oral health. The balance of bacteria in your gut can affect the balance in your oral microbiome (and vice versa). If you have an overwhelming amount of bad bacteria in either place, it can take over the good bacteria and lead to tooth decay. Other gut conditions such as acid reflux can also play a huge role in your oral health, as we discussed how acid can wear down your enamel and lead to cavities. It’s important to consistently nourish your gut health by listening to any symptoms your gut presents and consuming gut-healthy foods. Fibrous, nutrient-dense, and fermented foods are great for the good bacteria in your gut, and natural stress management (through movement, mindfulness, meditation, restful sleep, and beyond) can really help your gut and oral microbiomes in the long run....all of which can support natural cavity prevention! 5: remineralize with the best hydroxyapatite toothpaste We’ve mentioned that hydroxyapatite is a combination of calcium and phosphorus, the building blocks of strong, healthy enamel. Brushing daily with our hydroxyapatite toothpaste is one of the best (and easiest!) ways to strengthen your enamel to support natural cavity prevention. Hydroxyapatite is the natural alternative to fluoride, but unlike fluoride, it’s biocompatible and safe to consume. With hydroxyapatite, you don’t have to worry about adverse effects if it’s swallowed or absorbed into your bloodstream. This is why you won’t find a poison control warning on our toothpaste tube! Why do we call Davids the best hydroxyapatite toothpaste? Well, we had a third-party lab test it up against our competitors, and it did the best job at remineralizing weakened, porous enamel (the most susceptible to cavities). You can check out the photo results for yourself! Now that’s what we call natural cavity prevention + enamel repair. buy now
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how our hydroxyapatite toothpaste outperforms the rest, supporting your long-term oral health
Hydroxyapatite is gaining popularity in the oral care world, and for good reason. This natural alternative to fluoride has shown the world that incredible enamel remineralization is possible without the use of chemical additives. It’s no wonder there are so many hydroxyapatite toothpaste and mouthwash options out there! With so many to choose from, we’re here to discuss all the things that set Davids sensitive + whitening nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste apart from the rest....and how it can help you nurture and sustain your oral and overall health. quick brush up: what is hydroxyapatite? Hydroxyapatite is a calcium-based mineral that naturally exists in your body. It makes up 97% of your enamel, 80% of your dentin, and 70% of your bones. As a quick refresher, your enamel is that hard outer layer of your tooth (subject to everyday wear and tear), and your dentin is the layer right beneath that contains tubules that lead to your tooth’s center nerve. If your enamel is weakened or damaged, these tubules can become exposed, causing uncomfortable sensitivity. Nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA) is simply nanoscopic particles of hydroxyapatite. Nano-hydroxyapatite is what you’ll find in our sensitive + whitening toothpaste. These nanoparticles swoop in to deliver necessary minerals to your enamel and dentin, repairing holes, scratches, and imperfections....and providing much-needed tooth sensitivity relief. Unlike conventional sensitive toothpastes that use chemical ingredients to numb your sensitive teeth, the nano-hydroxyapatite in our toothpaste penetrates your enamel, remineralizing your teeth from the inside out. Now that’s true enamel repair! In fact, hydroxyapatite is so effective that NASA astronauts have used it for decades to replenish minerals in their teeth and bones that deteriorated during long stints in zero/low gravity environments. Pretty cool, right? Now you might be wondering....hmm, so what makes your hydroxyapatite toothpaste different from the rest? why is Davids the best hydroxyapatite toothpaste? As a small, family-owned + operated business, there are a lot of things that set our toothpaste apart from the rest. Here are a few of them! EWG verified Our nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste is EWG verified (along with the rest of our formulas)! What does this mean? It means that our toothpastes meet the Environmental Working Group’s strictest health standards, avoiding any chemicals of concern. Good thing! Especially since toothpaste is something you and your loved ones put in your mouth every single day. What are some of these common “chemicals of concern” found in toothpaste? fluoride: this famous ingredient is known for its ability to remineralize enamel. Every single toothpaste with the ADA stamp of approval must contain fluoride! There’s no doubt that fluoride is effective when it comes to enamel remineralization, but research shows that it can introduce collateral damage in the rest of the body (joint stiffness, weakened bones, hormone imbalance, and more) if you get too much of it. sodium lauryl sulfate: this ingredient is added to most conventional toothpastes to get the paste to excessively foam in your mouth. It’s the main chemical in foamy products such as shampoo and soap, but we don’t believe it belongs in toothpaste. It’s a common irritant, so it’s been known to cause burning and mouth sores. We’ve replaced this chemical of concern with sodium cocoyl glutamate, which is derived from coconut oil and has a gentle foaming effect. We’re very proud to be one of the only brands (if not the only brand) with an EWG-verified hydroxyapatite toothpaste, providing you with an enamel-repairing toothpaste you can use daily without any stress or worry. Good for your enamel, good for your entire body. intentional ingredient combinations Our hydroxyapatite toothpaste combines n-HA with a bunch of other premium ingredients for maximum performance. To name a few.... xylitol: this bacteria-fighting, mouth-moistening ingredient works with hydroxyapatite to neutralize your mouth and remineralize your teeth. Learn more about the details of this dream team here. calcium carbonate + hydrated silica: as calcium carbonate and hydrated silica work together to “exfoliate” your teeth (loosening plaque and lifting surface stains), hydroxyapatite swoops in to fill in any holes and imperfections on the nano level. baking soda: this legendary ingredient works hard to further neutralize any threatening acids in your mouth to ensure a healthy pH and overall robust oral microbiome. This is just the start. There are so many other amazing ingredients in our sensitive + whitening nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste, from refreshing premium mint oils to nourishing vegetable glycerin. Every single one of our ingredients is sustainably sourced from vendors we know and trust. Our ingredients are 98% USA origin, while many other brands source their ingredients from mass producers overseas. third party lab testing Sure, we might be biased when it comes to the quality of our hydroxyapatite toothpaste...but our third-party lab results aren’t. When we first launched our toothpaste with hydroxyapatite, we turned to a trusted third-party lab to test the effectiveness of our formula against several other leading competitors: Apagard Premio, Boka, Colgate Sensitive, Risewell, Sensodyne Pronamel, and Tom’s Sensitive. The results were amazing: clear data and photo evidence of real teeth (magnified 3000x) that showed our nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste was the most effective at repairing enamel damage and blocking passageways to the tooth’s center nerve to relieve tooth sensitivity. Check out the results for yourself! the Davids difference As you can see, there are a lot of things that make Davids the best hydroxyapatite toothpaste (and the best premium toothpaste in general). On top of the things we’ve mentioned, our toothpaste comes in aluminum tubes (the most infinitely recyclable material) and FSC-certified paperboard packaging. Every single ingredient we use is also vegan and cruelty-free, supporting our mission to care for the people, animals, and planet around us. Everything we do is to sustain nature+you, and it shows through our formulas. You don’t have to take our word for it, the proof is in the paste. Buy Nano Hydroxyapatite Premium Toothpaste Now.
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