Toothpaste made from your own hair could help repair and protect damaged teeth. Scientists discovered that keratin found in hair produces a protective coating that mimics the structure and function of natural enamel when it comes into contact with minerals in saliva.

**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.**

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.

For those interested, here’s the link to the peer reviewed journal article:

https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adhm.202502465

We have a guy in my little town who’s known for eating his own hair. Don’t think it’s done anything positive for his teeth.

Why not toothbrushes? They used to be made of horsehair.