Researchers continue to try and find ways to regenerate enamel. Now, new research has sought to try and use keratin in the field of enamel regeneration. Most of us think of hair when it comes to keratin, but this research proposes an alternative use for it. The research was able to produce impressive findings.
When we hear the word ‘Keratin’, most of us immediately think about hair. Keratin treatment involves straightening and smoothing damaged hair, making it a popular term for many.
However, many people are unaware of what keratin actually is. Even fewer people will be aware that keratin has the potential to play a role in the prevention of tooth decay.
This is according to recent research, with the suggestion being that keratin can have a very positive impact on our oral health [1].
What is Keratin?
Keratin is a protein which is found in hair, skin, and wool. Keratins help to form the tissues of the hair, nails, and the outer layer of our skin [2].
Therefore, keratins are important. Moreover, they are important for animals too, with keratins being a key material in horns, claws, and hooves.
Most people know keratin treatment as being a hair-based treatment. This process applies a coat of protein to the hair to reduce frizz and add shine to it. It is a popular treatment for many women.
Research linking keratin and oral health together
The research was carried out by a team from King’s College London, in the United Kingdom. Their findings have been published in the Advanced Healthcare Materials journal [1].
The basis for the research was that unlike bones and hair, tooth enamel is unable to regenerate. Scientists continue to investigate ways of being able to make enamel regenerate.
This led to the researchers attempting to use keratin to assist in enamel regeneration. To do this, the team started by extracting keratin from wool [1].
The researchers decided to use sheep’s wool for this. This is due to it being highly abundant, and its status as a biowaste makes it sustainable [1].
The extract was then purified and freeze-dried. The researchers confirmed the protein’s concentration through something called Bicinchonic acid assay [1].
This process of finetuning the keratin took time and involved multiple scientific processes in addition to the above. But the researchers were able to successfully extract keratin.
Then, the team sought to find out how the keratin extract impacted teeth. To do this, they mixed the keratin with saliva [1].
They found that this combination led to an impressive reaction. The researchers noticed that a highly organized, crystal-like scaffold formed [1].
Then, over time they noticed that the scaffold was attracting calcium and phosphate ions. Consequently, they witnessed the growth of a protective enamel-like layer [1].
Impressively, this enamel-like layer was able to mimic natural enamel structure and function [1]. It was almost like the team had created enamel.
Therefore, the team found that the keratin extract was able to repair tooth enamel and combat early decay by forming a protective, enamel-like coating to teeth [1].
This was very impressive and produced excellent, albeit unexpected, results for the team. The keratin extract performed very strongly.
The future
Overall, the researchers were delighted with the results. The keratin had a very positive impact, being able to mimic natural enamel [1].
Looking ahead to the future, the researchers believe that keratin treatment could be delivered in either the form of a toothpaste or as a professional gel application [1].
Therefore, this research may lead to a new and innovative product being released. In fact, the researchers are aiming to make this available to the public in two to three years [1].
Lead author and PhD researcher Sara Gamea spoke of the findings. She said that “keratin offers a transformative alternative to current dental treatments” [3].
The researchers are likely to carry out further research on keratin in the next few months, as they aim to finetune their findings.
If everything goes according to plan, a keratin treatment could be released soon! Eventually, rather than thinking of hair when discussing keratin, it may instead be associated with oral health!
Thinking points…
[1] This research may result in a new toothpaste being created in the future. But in the meantime, it is important to use a fluoride-based toothpaste, as this currently provides the best protection for our teeth. Another step you can take to look after your teeth is attending regular dental check-ups. Regular dental check-ups help a dentist to track the progress of your teeth and look out for any problems. We recommend booking a check-up soon!
[2] There is a high chance that you will know someone who has had a keratin hair treatment. If so, they may be surprised to know its potential effectiveness for oral health. Why not share this article with them now? Or better yet, we’d love for you to share this article across your social media accounts – it may interest a lot of people!
What we offer at Taradale Dental
Taradale Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. At our Calgary dental clinic, we provide a range of services for our patients.
We advise our patients to attend our Calgary dental clinic at least twice per year for a regular dental check-up. At these check-ups, we provide a comprehensive review of a patient’s oral health. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For example, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To strengthen your oral health, we recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly.
Here at Taradale Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, teeth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.
Moreover, the fees of our treatments at our Calgary dental clinic Taradale Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. This ensures transparent and fair pricing, with no hidden costs.
We hope to see you soon at our Taradale Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://taradaledental.ca/!
References
[1] Gamea, S., Radvar, E., Athanasiadou, D., et al. (2025). Biomimetic Mineralization of Keratin Scaffolds for Enamel Regeneration. Advanced Healthcare Materials. (Early View): e02465. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adhm.202502465.
[2] National Cancer Institute. (2025). Keratin. Available: https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/keratin. Last accessed: 21st August 2025.
[3] Oral Health. (2025). Scientists explore using hair keratin in toothpaste to repair tooth enamel. Available: https://www.oralhealthgroup.com/news/scientists-explore-using-hair-keratin-in-toothpaste-to-repair-tooth-enamel-1003988761/. Last accessed: 21st August 2025.
