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| Toothpaste made from hair could stop decay, KCL scientists say | Toothpaste made from hair could stop decay, KCL scientists say |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Dr Sherif Elsharkawy believes the technology could be available within two years | Dr Sherif Elsharkawy believes the technology could be available within two years |
| Toothpaste made from your own hair could help repair and protect damaged teeth, researchers say. | Toothpaste made from your own hair could help repair and protect damaged teeth, researchers say. |
| Scientists from King's College London found that keratin - a protein found in hair, skin and wool - can repair tooth enamel and stop early stages of decay. | |
| Their research revealed that keratin produces a protective coating that mimics the structure and function of natural enamel when it comes into contact with minerals in saliva. | Their research revealed that keratin produces a protective coating that mimics the structure and function of natural enamel when it comes into contact with minerals in saliva. |
| Sara Gamea, PhD researcher at King's College London and first author of the study, said: "Keratin offers a transformative alternative to current dental treatments." | |
| Tooth decay can be caused by acidic food and drinks | Tooth decay can be caused by acidic food and drinks |
| She added: "This technology bridges the gap between biology and dentistry, providing an eco-friendly biomaterial that mirrors natural processes. | She added: "This technology bridges the gap between biology and dentistry, providing an eco-friendly biomaterial that mirrors natural processes. |
| "Not only is it sustainably sourced from biological waste materials like hair and skin, it also eliminates the need for traditional plastic resins, commonly used in restorative dentistry, which are toxic and less durable." | "Not only is it sustainably sourced from biological waste materials like hair and skin, it also eliminates the need for traditional plastic resins, commonly used in restorative dentistry, which are toxic and less durable." |
| In their study, published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, the scientists extracted keratin from wool. | In their study, published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, the scientists extracted keratin from wool. |
| Researchers say Keratin material extracted from hair could be used to create toothpaste that repairs tooth enamel | Researchers say Keratin material extracted from hair could be used to create toothpaste that repairs tooth enamel |
| They discovered that when keratin is applied to the tooth surface and comes into contact with the minerals naturally present in saliva, it forms a highly organised, crystal-like scaffold that mimics the structure and function of natural enamel. | They discovered that when keratin is applied to the tooth surface and comes into contact with the minerals naturally present in saliva, it forms a highly organised, crystal-like scaffold that mimics the structure and function of natural enamel. |
| Over time, this scaffold continues to attract calcium and phosphate ions, leading to the growth of a protective enamel-like coating around the tooth, according to researchers. | Over time, this scaffold continues to attract calcium and phosphate ions, leading to the growth of a protective enamel-like coating around the tooth, according to researchers. |
| Acidic foods and drinks, poor oral hygiene and ageing all contribute to enamel erosion and decay, leading to tooth sensitivity, pain and eventually tooth loss. | Acidic foods and drinks, poor oral hygiene and ageing all contribute to enamel erosion and decay, leading to tooth sensitivity, pain and eventually tooth loss. |
| The research was led by a PhD student | The research was led by a PhD student |
| Dr Sherif Elsharkawy, senior author and consultant in prosthodontics at King's College London, said: "Unlike bones and hair, enamel does not regenerate, once it is lost, it's gone forever. | |
| "We are entering an exciting era where biotechnology allows us to not just treat symptoms but restore biological function using the body's own materials. | "We are entering an exciting era where biotechnology allows us to not just treat symptoms but restore biological function using the body's own materials. |
| "With further development and the right industry partnerships, we may soon be growing stronger, healthier smiles from something as simple as a haircut." | "With further development and the right industry partnerships, we may soon be growing stronger, healthier smiles from something as simple as a haircut." |
| Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk | Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk |
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