It’s not every day you hear that the solution to dental decay might be sitting in the pile of clippings on a salon floor. Yet, according to researchers at King’s College London, human hair—and even discarded wool—could soon be the foundation for a new generation of dental care products that promise to do what fluoride never could: not just slow down tooth decay, but potentially repair and restore teeth to their former glory.
On August 13, 2025, scientists announced a breakthrough that could reshape the way we care for our teeth. As reported by Daily Mail and corroborated by multiple sources, the team at King’s College London has developed a toothpaste—along with a nail varnish-like gel—made from keratin, a protein extracted from human hair and wool. This novel approach, they say, can repair damaged teeth more effectively than traditional fluoride-based products and can even halt the early stages of tooth decay entirely.
For decades, people have invested heavily in their smiles, from splurging on electric toothbrushes to traveling abroad for cosmetic dental work. But, as the researchers point out, the answer may have been with us all along. “We are entering an exciting era where biotechnology allows us to not just treat symptoms but restore biological function using the body’s own materials,” said Dr Sherif Elsharkawy, senior author of the study, in a statement to Daily Mail. “With further development and the right industry partnerships, we may soon be growing stronger, healthier smiles from something as simple as a haircut.”
The science behind this innovation is as fascinating as it is promising. Teeth are protected by a hard outer layer called enamel, which is primarily made of calcium and phosphorus. Enamel is the hardest substance in the human body—even tougher than bone. However, it’s not invincible. Acidic foods, sugary drinks, and lapses in dental hygiene can gradually erode enamel, leading to sensitivity, pain, and in severe cases, tooth loss. And here’s the kicker: unlike bone or hair, enamel does not regenerate. As Dr Elsharkawy bluntly put it, “Unlike bones and hair, enamel does not regenerate, once it is lost, it’s gone forever.”
Traditional toothpastes with high levels of fluoride have been the gold standard for slowing enamel decay, but they can only do so much. They help slow the process but cannot stop or reverse it. Enter keratin—the fibrous protein that makes up our hair, nails, and the outer layer of our skin. The King’s College team discovered that when keratin is extracted from hair or wool and applied to teeth, it forms a dense mineral layer that mimics the structure and function of natural enamel.
The mechanism is clever. When the keratin-based gel or toothpaste is applied to the teeth, it interacts with minerals that are naturally present in saliva. This reaction forms what the researchers describe as “a highly organised, crystal-like scaffold.” Over time, this scaffold absorbs more calcium and phosphorus from saliva, growing into an enamel-like layer that wraps around the tooth. This new layer not only protects the tooth from further decay but also seals off the tiny channels that lead to nerve endings, which are responsible for tooth sensitivity.
“By sealing tiny openings in teeth and restoring lost minerals, keratin-based treatments could offer long-lasting protection against sensitivity and wear,” said Sara Gamea, a PhD candidate at King’s College London and the study’s first author. She added, “Because hair is abundant, renewable, and often discarded as waste, it provides a sustainable and cost-effective source for producing keratin-based materials to help repair teeth.”
It’s a solution that’s as eco-friendly as it is effective. The researchers envision a future in which waste hair from hairdressers or surplus wool from farms can be recycled into dental products, reducing both environmental impact and the cost of dental care. This approach could make advanced dental repair accessible to a broader swath of the population, not just those who can afford high-end treatments or cosmetic procedures.
But how soon can the public expect to see these products on store shelves? The answer, according to the King’s College team, is surprisingly soon. If development continues apace and industry partnerships are secured, the keratin-based toothpaste and gel could be available to consumers within two to three years. For those suffering from sensitive teeth or worried about early-stage decay, this could be a game-changer.
The findings were published in the journal Advanced Healthcare Materials, lending academic weight to the claims. The research not only highlights the potential of keratin in dental care but also underscores the broader trend of using biotechnology to solve everyday health problems in innovative ways. As Dr Elsharkawy emphasized, “With further development and the right industry partnerships, we may soon be growing stronger, healthier smiles from something as simple as a haircut.”
Of course, questions remain. Will consumers embrace the idea of brushing their teeth with products derived from human hair or sheep’s wool? How will keratin-based treatments compare in cost and accessibility to traditional fluoride options? And what regulatory hurdles must be cleared before such products are widely available? These are questions that industry leaders, policymakers, and the public will grapple with as the technology moves closer to market.
Yet, the potential benefits are hard to ignore. Not only does keratin offer a more effective solution for repairing and protecting teeth, but it also aligns with growing consumer demand for sustainable and eco-friendly products. In a world where waste reduction and resource efficiency are increasingly important, turning discarded hair and wool into a dental health asset seems almost poetic.
As the dental industry stands on the cusp of what could be a major transformation, researchers and consumers alike are watching closely. If the promises of keratin-based dental care hold true, the humble haircut may soon play a starring role in the fight against tooth decay—proving that sometimes, the most powerful solutions really are hiding in plain sight.
