Healthy gums with hydroxyapatite toothpaste

The most important factor in at-home oral care is the continuous reduction of the dental plaque. To achieve this, a wide range of toothbrushes as well as toothpastes with various compositions are commercially available. Oral care products containing amine and stannous fluoride are often considered the gold standard in biofilm reduction. Studies have shown that hydroxyapatite is also able to reduce dental plaque and therefore improve dental and oral health.

Question

Is hydroxyapatite toothpaste as effective in improving periodontal health as an amine/stannous fluoride toothpaste?

Materials and methods

A double-blind, randomised, parallel study was conducted at two different study centres (the university hospitals in Münster and Würzburg) The study was conducted over a period of three months and the plaque formation rate (PFR) was selected as the primary outcome. Other secondary parameters were also considered, mostly focussing on gum health. All of the patients had mild to moderate chronic periodontitis (tooth pocket depth of ≥ 4 mm on at least 4 teeth). All patients were trained in how to perform oral hygiene at the start of the study. Then the patients were randomised into two groups: One study group used an amine/stannous fluoride toothpaste (control) and a second used a hydroxyapatite toothpaste for oral and dental care. Initially, the toothpastes were used for at-home oral care as before. After 4 weeks and a professional clean and periodontal treatment, the patients performed their oral and dental care at home as instructed. The PFR was measured at regular follow-ups (after 4 weeks and 12 weeks). Then the results were compared for statistically significant differences in the PFR and others between the groups.

Results

Figure 1: Relative reduction of bleeding gums after 4 weeks
Figure 1: Relative reduction of bleeding gums after 4 weeks

67 patients in total were included in the study. The patients were distributed equally between the two groups (amine/stannous fluoride and hydroxyapatite). The mean age in both groups was 53 (± ~13 years). The PFR was similar in both groups. There was an overall improvement in the PFR. The secondary parameters also showed an equal improvement in gingival health in both groups. No significant differences in PFR could be determined between the group with an amine/stannous fluoride toothpaste and the group with a hydroxyapatite toothpaste.

Conclusion

A hydroxyapatite toothpaste reduces plaque to the same extent and has the same positive effect on gum health as the former gold standard in dental and oral care.

The published study can be read here.

Source:  Harks, I., Y. et al. Impact of the daily use of a microcrystal hydroxyapatite dentifrice on de novo plaque formation and clinical/microbiological parameters of periodontal health. A randomized trial. PLoS One 11: e0160142 (2016).