Scientists leave people baffled after suggesting we use human hair to clean our teeth
Scientists suspect that the solution to damaged teeth has been staring us in the face all along...and sat on our heads.
Boffins from King's College London (KCL) believe that our hair could hold the key to repairing and protecting our pearly whites.
It might sound bizarre, but researchers say that our tresses could offer us a 'transformative alternative' to traditional dental treatments.
Another expert reckons that we might 'soon be growing stronger, healthier smiles from something as simple as a haircut' due to the results of KCL's recent research.
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Scientists discovered that when keratin - a fibrous protein that is found in hair, skin, and nails - is applied to the surface of a tooth, it has quite a profound effect.
When it comes into contact with the minerals which are naturally present in our saliva, it forms a dense mineral layer which 'mimics the structure and function of natural enamel'.
Enamel is the thin, hard coating which covers our gnashers, and although it is incredibly durable, it can erode and decay over time.
Consuming acidic food and drinks, ageing, and poor oral hygiene can all contribute to this, and a lack of enamel leaves you prone to tooth sensitivity, pain and tooth loss.
Once it's gone, it's gone too - although if your enamel is damaged, dental experts can help restore it with fluoride treatments.
However, people might soon be turning to our hair for help with erosion instead, as the researchers at KCL said the results of the recent study were so promising.
In their findings, which were published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, the team explained: "While fluoride toothpastes are currently used to slow this process, keratin-based treatments were found to stop it completely.
"Keratin forms a dense mineral layer that protects the tooth and seals off exposed nerve channels that cause sensitivity, offering both structural and symptomatic relief."
Experts have floated the idea of incorporating keratin into toothpaste for daily use, or perhaps as a professionally applied gel, similar to nail varnish, for more targeted repair.
"The team is already exploring pathways for clinical application and believes that keratin-based enamel regeneration could be made available to the public within the next two to three years," KCL added.
Scientists extracted keratin from wool for the experiment and realised that it creates a strong, crystal-like scaffold when applied to the surface of a tooth.
Calcium and phosphate ions continue to be attracted to this as time goes on, which eventually leads to a protective enamel-like coating forming around the tooth.
Sara Gamea, PhD researcher at KCL and first author of the study, said the results could go on to change the face of the dental world completely.
"Keratin offers a transformative alternative to current dental treatments," she explained. "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."
Dr Sherif Elsharkawy, senior author and consultant in prosthodontics at KCL, added: "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 not just to 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."
That isn't to say that you should sink your teeth into a ball of hair anytime soon...but if you see hair-related toothpaste starting to hit the shelves, don't be too surprised.
Olivia Burke