Today’s newsletter focuses on brain health and dental safety — two important topics you’ll want to read.
#1: Regulatory good news: the SCCS has issued a favorable ruling on nanohydroxyapatite, an effective alternative to fluoride in toothpaste.
#2: I was interviewed on Dr. Perlmutter’s podcast. A dentist and a neurologist have plenty to discuss about oral health and the brain. Listen to the episode here.
SCCS rules nanohydroxyapatite safe
The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has released its final opinion on nanohydroxyapatite in cosmetic products, including toothpaste, concluding that concentrations up to 10% are safe for human use.
The committee’s assessment found no evidence of genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, or reproductive toxicity linked to nanohydroxyapatite. This conclusion is based on a thorough review of toxicological, physico-chemical, and environmental data.
Nanohydroxyapatite toothpastes have grown in popularity as fluoride-free options. They work by remineralizing and repairing enamel, reducing sensitivity, and helping whiten teeth. With the SCCS safety opinion, users can feel more confident choosing these formulations.
This opinion is especially reassuring for people who prefer to avoid fluoride in dental products. It confirms that nanohydroxyapatite is a viable, non-toxic alternative that supports oral health.
In my experience, nano-sized hydroxyapatite offers better uptake and a stronger therapeutic effect than the micro form. I recommend nanohydroxyapatite toothpastes over microhydroxyapatite products. That said, I would choose microhydroxyapatite over fluoride toothpaste if given only those options.
There is also a public-health angle to consider: concerns exist about fluoride’s potential effects on developing brains during fetal, childhood, and teenage years. Nanohydroxyapatite provides an effective, non-toxic alternative that avoids those concerns. I encourage people to consider switching to safer, well-formulated options and to advocate for better dental products.
Which brands produce the most bioavailable and safe forms of nanohydroxyapatite? Which toothpastes deliver the optimal 10% concentration for maximum effect? I’ll cover product comparisons and recommendations in an upcoming newsletter.
Who is the SCCS and why it matters
The SCCS (Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety) is an advisory body established by the European Commission. It provides independent scientific evaluations on the safety of cosmetic and personal-care ingredients. Its opinions influence regulation, product development, and consumer safety across the EU.
If you use cosmetics or personal-care products, the SCCS’s findings can affect what ingredients are permitted and how products are labeled. Their assessments are important both for consumers and for companies developing new formulations.
Why review nanohydroxyapatite?
The SCCS reviewed nanohydroxyapatite because toothpaste is regulated as a cosmetic product, and the nanomaterial labeling raised questions that required a scientific evaluation. While “nano” can raise legitimate safety concerns—particularly with metal nanoparticles that persist in the body—nanohydroxyapatite differs in several key ways.
Nanohydroxyapatite is not a metal, is water-soluble in relevant biological contexts, and is a biomimetic material engineered to mimic the mineral component of tooth enamel. Particle shape and formulation matter for biological interactions, not just size, and the evidence reviewed by the SCCS supports the safety of properly formulated nanohydroxyapatite in toothpaste up to the evaluated concentration.
P.S. The nanohydroxyapatite I currently use is Fygg toothpaste. Use code ATD15 for 15% off your first order.