New toothpaste ingredient ‘can help harden teeth during sleep’

A new toothpaste ingredient that restores lost minerals to tooth enamel has been developed by Queen Mary, University of London.

The BioMinF toothpaste is designed to help prevent decay and treat sensitivity while the user sleeps. It slowly releases calcium, phosphate and fluoride ions over an eight to 12-hour timeframe, forming fluorapatite mineral to rebuild, strengthen and protect tooth structure.

Remineralising toothpaste of this kind is more effective at protecting the teeth from acidic soft drinks than conventional toothpastes, as standard active ingredients such as soluble fluoride are washed away and become ineffective less than two hours after brushing.

The product is being made available immediately online and via specialist dental distributors, while it is also expected to be sold through high street stores by the end of the year.

Professor Robert Hill, chair of dental physical sciences at Queen Mary, University of London, said: "This breakthrough innovation could significantly reduce dental decay and also tooth sensitivity problems, which are often experienced by people eating or drinking something cold."