
Why Most Toothpastes Can’t Repair Enamel (and What Can)
The problem with enamel erosion
Every day, our teeth face attacks from acidic food and drink, bacterial plaque, and even over-brushing. Over time this leads to enamel loss — causing sensitivity, cavities, and yellowing.
Here’s the kicker: once enamel is gone, it doesn’t naturally regrow. Unlike bone, enamel has no living cells to repair itself.
So where does that leave us? Traditionally, dentistry has focused on prevention rather than repair — protecting what enamel you have left, but not restoring what’s been lost.
Fluoride: protection, not repair
Fluoride is the most common active in mainstream toothpaste.
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How it works: Fluoride helps resist acid attacks by forming a harder, more acid-resistant layer on teeth (fluoroapatite).
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Limitations: Fluoride strengthens what’s there, but it doesn’t directly rebuild lost enamel. It’s protective — not restorative.
That’s why you can brush with standard toothpaste every day and still develop sensitivity, erosion, or cavities.
Why “everyday” toothpastes fall short
Most supermarket toothpastes are 95% filler: abrasives, foaming agents, artificial flavours, and stabilisers. Actives like fluoride are typically only 0.1%–0.3% of the formula.
This means:
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✅ They clean and freshen.
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✅ They help prevent decay.
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❌ They don’t rebuild enamel.
So if you already struggle with sensitivity or enamel erosion, you need more than just “everyday” protection. You need minerals back in the tooth.
Hydroxyapatite: the mineral your teeth are made of
Here’s the science: your enamel is 97% hydroxyapatite — a crystalline form of calcium and phosphate.
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When enamel erodes, those hydroxyapatite crystals dissolve.
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When you reintroduce hydroxyapatite, the minerals can integrate into the enamel surface — plugging microscopic holes, repairing weak spots, and reducing sensitivity.
Unlike fluoride, which modifies the surface, hydroxyapatite directly replaces what’s lost.
Toothpastes with hydroxyapatite: a step forward
Over the last decade, clinical studies have shown hydroxyapatite toothpaste to be as effective as fluoride at preventing cavities — and even better at reducing sensitivity.
That’s why Truthpaste created its 5% hydroxyapatite toothpaste:
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✅ Gentle daily remineralisation
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✅ Helps reduce sensitivity
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✅ Strengthens enamel over time
Most everyday toothpastes are designed to clean and protect, but they can’t truly repair enamel. Enamel — the hard outer layer of your teeth — doesn’t naturally regrow once it’s worn away. Fluoride, the main active in conventional toothpaste, helps strengthen what remains but doesn’t replace lost minerals.
That’s where hydroxyapatite comes in. Hydroxyapatite is the very mineral enamel is made of, and clinical studies show it can replenish weakened areas, reduce sensitivity, and restore surface smoothness. Toothpaste with hydroxyapatite offers a more advanced approach to protecting and repairing teeth, making it a powerful alternative to standard fluoride-based formulas.
Let customers speak for us
from 1819 reviewsGreat product - no bleeding from gums & much reduced sensitivity. Tastes great. Definitely feeling the benefit.

The company has a strong ethos and offers excellent products and services all around.

I am very pleased with the mouthwash - non-toxic alternative to normal mouthwash is so refreshing - tastes nice too!

I'm so happy with how my teeth and gums feel now. I wasn't expecting such a change, my gums no longer bleed, they look and feel so much healthier and my teeth feel stronger. Genuinely love these natural products, thank you.

I have had problems with my teeth all through my life with sensitivity I was also allergic to mint so brushing my teeth has been a mammoth task. This toothpaste is amazing no sensitivity and it doesn't make me cough. It's vegan, cruelty free and can be wasted without dumping micro plastics into the already plastic filled world. It tastes great and my teeth feel very clean after use will be using this the rest of my life.

Tried most of the "clean" toothpastes/gels/powders etc, in an attempt to find a product that is not full of synthetics or unwarranted, harmful chemicals and this is the first one that offers effective cleaning and tooth care, combined with decent mouthfeel and flavour.
Whilst it might seem a bit expensive, it really isn't. The jar is lasting alot longer than I imagined and still loads left. I wasn't skimping on the amount for each use either. Great taste. Fresh and zingy.

It was best decision to buy truthpaste

I'm pleased with it. My denist said my hygiene was as good as it could be and I am holding gum disease stable ... but my dentist freaked out when I told him I was using this product and it had no fluoride in it. I couldn't remember the name of the Hydroxyapatite but I'm started to worry if I'm combating my gum disease and leaving myself open to tooth decay instead?
Could I have some reassurance please?

Have been looking around for alternative dental care products and this is the best so far. Fantastic toothpaste, leaving teeth feeling fabulously clean. Floss is definitely best I have tried so far as it does not break so readily as others but mostly it doesn't break at all. Mouthwash is wonderfully refreshing.

All good. Arrives promptly and does the job

Lovely toothpaste, very impressed, shall order again !

This is a great product, it's minty and my teeth feel clean all day. Its a zing in the morning and that feeling never goes away all day . Can be watered down if it's too strong. Definitely will be purchasing this product going forward.

The best toothpaste, left mouth feeling clean and did notice my teeth were looking a lot brighter.

We all converted to truthpaste for the fluoride free aspect.
The charcoal stain removal was very effective, very quickly.
The kids now prefer toothpastes without frothing agents and I believe enjoy the natural ingredients rather than chemicals.
They are a little unhappy that the sweet orange option is no longer available.
All in all, a very good product!

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