A new “smart” toothpaste is made using bioactive glasses. It may outperform fluoride toothpaste, according to a study from Queen Mary University of London.
Most toothpastes use fluoride to fight cavities. But saliva washes away fluoride 10 minutes after you brush. This toothpaste, called BioMin, dissolves in saliva to release calcium, phosphate and fluoride ions. It coats the teeth and fights decay for up to 12 hours. The fluoride ions help seal dental tubules — the sensitive microscopic holes in the enamel.
The company BioMin Technologies makes three formulas of the toothpaste. There is the slow-release version, a non-fluoride formula and a children’s formula.
The product, made in the UK, is currently listed on Amazon but is unavailable in the U.S. Hopefully, it will be available soon, as people are always looking for more oral health options. In 2021, a survey found that 70 percent of people who used it for two weeks had less sensitivity. If other toothpastes designed to fight sensitivity haven’t helped you in the past, this could be a step forward.
It also has less fluoride than many brands. That is important for many people. “Many of my patients prefer to be treated holistically, and tend to be reluctant to use high fluoride pastes,” said a dental hygienist in the UK. “BioMinF is perfect because it offers better protection with less fluoride.”
The bioactive glass materials in the toothpaste were first created to repair bone. But the way it dissolves so quickly in the mouth helps the mouth reach a healthy pH level rapidly.
We find this new technology fascinating. It’s frustrating that we can learn about something — even see the product page on Amazon — and be unable to get it because we are in another country. The fact that dental hygiene technology is still developing is wonderful. Oral health is foundational to overall health. Fluctuating blood sugar can harm oral health. For better “oral ecology,” maintaining stable blood sugar aids oral bacteria. You can also help your mouth by maintaining your diet with prebiotic and probiotic foods that feed your microbiome and can help make your oral bacteria healthier.
While this new toothpaste isn’t on the American market yet, we are interested to learn more about it and seeing when it hits American shelves. This could help a lot of people with sore teeth and concerns about fluoride.
