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Examination of the variations between microcrystalline and nano-hydroxyapatite for defense in opposition to dental caries and remineralizing the enamel.
A pattern I’ve seen in latest months is that practical docs and organic dentists are more and more recommending merchandise that include nano-hydroxyapatite to their sufferers.
What’s hydroxyapatite, or “HA” as it’s generally abbreviated?
HA is sort of merely floor bone with solely the moisture extracted.
Nothing else is added or eliminated.
Hydroxyapatite Protects and Remineralizes Enamel
Analysis revealed within the scientific literature convincingly demonstrates that hydroxyapatite gives extremely efficient safety in opposition to dental caries. It additionally provides advantages for tooth remineralization. (1, 2)
In reality, the analysis clearly exhibits that hydroxyapatite’s protecting results on the enamel are nearly as good or higher than fluoride.
Thus, for these wishing to keep away from the organic harm of fluoride publicity, hydroxyapatite is a superb and protected different.
The query is, what kind?
Is the nano-hydroxyapatite that’s in a rising proportion of fluoride-free, remineralizing oral care merchandise the way in which to go?
Let’s have a look.
Microcrystalline vs Nano
Microcrystalline hydroxyapatite is the type of dehydrated bone that’s floor to as superb a particle measurement as will be carried out mechanically.
Nano-hydroxyapatite is one thing else totally…the particle measurement is massively smaller than the microcrystallized type.
How a lot smaller?
“Nano” is 1000 occasions smaller than “micro”. (3)
In reality, nanoparticles are so small that they will simply breach the partitions of cells and even the nuclear membrane inside a single cell itself…the place DNA is situated.
Advantages and Dangers
Whereas microcrystalline hydroxyapatite is 100% protected to be used in oral care merchandise (right here’s the place I get mine), it’s best to keep away from the nano model.
Analysis so far means that there are dangers for mutations to DNA. This happens from the breaching of the nanoparticles previous the nuclear membranes of particular person cells.
Please word that I’m not questioning the analysis on nano-hydroxyapatite.
The advantages are fairly compelling and credible in that it’s certainly useful in defending in opposition to cavities in addition to for remineralization functions.
Nonetheless, there may be RISK in utilizing nano-hydroxyapatite as properly. Some different practitioners are glossing over these risks by recommending merchandise containing them.
In brief, progress within the evaluation of well being dangers from nanoparticles, aka “nano-toxicology”, is being far outstripped by the speedy advances in nano-technology itself. (4)
Thus, good customers can be properly suggested to make use of warning with merchandise containing nano-hydroxyapatite else they’re going to find yourself as guinea pigs for this expertise.
Whereas anticipated advantages from nano-hydroxyapatite could happen, the unwanted side effects could possibly be far worse than tooth decay!
Among the dangers from nanoparticles are already recognized within the literature. Dr. Al Danenberg DDS warns about these risks which embrace cytotoxicity, harm, and mutations to mobile DNA. (5)
This happens because of the breaching of the nuclear membrane (not simply the cell membrane as mentioned within the pro-nanoparticle analysis!).
Nano-Hydroxyapatite Is Not Pure
In brief, the place microcrystalline hydroxyapatite is a pure substance with a particle measurement that the physique acknowledges and might take care of, nano-hydroxyapatite will not be.
Nano-hydroxyapatite is the artificial type of hydroxyapatite with confirmed advantages however loads of unknown dangers to the integrity of your DNA.
The particle measurement of nano-hydroxyapatite (or any nanoparticle for that matter) is so tiny that it simply breaches the blood-brain barrier in addition to the nuclear member defending the DNA of each cell.
Abstract
In closing, it is very important know that whereas research present nano-hydroxyapatite to be efficacious, it has not been confirmed protected.
Thus, if you happen to want to get pleasure from the advantages of remineralizing hydroxyapatite in your oral care merchandise, stick to firms that solely use the microcrystalline type.
As of this writing, I solely know of 1 firm that gives some of these merchandise.
That is the hydroxyapatite tooth powder that I take advantage of and advocate that comprises the protected particle (non-nano) type.
Do you like to make your individual tooth powder?
This bag of microcrystalline hydroxyapatite is ideal for the DIY oral care recipes you make at house.
Lastly, what to do with practitioners who’re recommending nano-hydroxyapatite merchandise for you or your kids?
If it have been me on this state of affairs, I’d politely say no.
The medical analysis merely doesn’t help the security of nanoparticles for human DNA.
(1, 3) Nano or No-No? Hydroxyapatite Particle Measurement Issues…
(2) Scientific sources of Hydroxyapatite for Oral Well being
(4) Nano-technology and Nano-toxicology
(5) Managing Well being by Minding Your Intestine (and Mouth) Microbiome (beginning at 1:11)