🦷 Mondays with Mark: Is nanohydroxyapatite BANNED?

This week we’re talking about how flossing prevents dementia and the latest on nanohydroxyapatite safety according to the European SCCS.

Is nanohydroxyapatite BANNED? 🇪🇺
The short answer is no. It is not banned.

I think where some misinformation got momentum is the fact that there were safety concerns raised by European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety. Despite good performance of nanohydroxyapatite, the SCCS needed to confirm its safety.

Nano materials as a category have drawn concern—rightfully so—because of the fact that they get into the tissues and the body cannot process them. Think: nano zinc in sunscreen.

In my opinion, the SCCS is being thorough. Way more thorough than our own FDA here in the US would ever be.

The “official” opinion from the SCCS on nanohydroxyapatite safety will be published March 15. I don’t expect anything revelatory to be announced, since the SCCS has already published their “unofficial” opinion concluding that nanohydroxyapatite at under 10% and in a rod-shape is safe.

The SCCS has stated that needle-shaped nanohydroxyapatite is NOT safe. More on this later, but know that all of the hydroxyapatite toothpastes I recommend on my website do NOT contain this “needle-shaped” form of hydroxyapatite.

The bottom line is that hydroxyapatite is what’s in our teeth. It is calcium and it’s safer and as effective as fluoride. Nano refers to this same material, but processed into a much smaller piece—smaller than the tubules of the dentin, which is where we get sensitivity.

Swallowed hydroxyapatite particles are immediately dissolved in the acid environment of the stomach, and do not pose any safety concern. (Study 1, Study 2)

I will always be happy to see discussion and concern about what’s in our toothpaste. I will be closely watching this space and will interpret the SCCS’s announcement on March 15 for all of you in an upcoming newsletter.

No more of this “floss the teeth you want to keep” nonsense! 🧠
The #1 reason we should be telling our patients (and ourselves) to floss is Alzheimer’s prevention. None of this “floss the teeth you want to keep” nonsense because—although true—it’s not working. There’s no better motivator than preventing dementia in my opinion to get over the hurdle of making flossing part of your routine.

Here is some of the essential reading on flossing that I’ve written:

1. How to make it a habit: The psychology of flossing
2. How to floss the right way: this is my YouTube video demonstrating proper technique.
3. How bad is not flossing?
4. Is your floss toxic?

That’s all for now. Happy Monday and hope you have a wonderful week,

P.S. I am using nanohydroxyapatite toothpaste daily since I think it’s better for my sensitivity. This is the one I use.