The principle of biomimetics
The Nordic Smile toothpaste is an innovative dental care product based on the principle of biomimetics. Biomimetics is about the systematic recognition of solutions in nature. These natural phenomena are transferred to technical systems and processes in interdisciplinary research and development work. In a nutshell, the Nordic Smile toothpaste is the innovative product from: “Biology + technology = biomimetics”.
Nordic Smile toothpastes contain an active ingredient that is based on natural tooth enamel: zinc carbonate hydroxylapatite . The microcrystalline structure of zinc carbonate hydroxyapatite attaches itself particularly well to the surface of the tooth enamel. This way, the smallest cracks and porous areas in the tooth enamel can be repaired. Accordingly, one speaks of a “bionic” or “biomimetic” mode of action.
The biomimetic crystallites combine with the surface structure of the tooth enamel and thus close microfine defects directly when brushing your teeth.
How does the Nordic Smile toothpaste work?
Nordic Smile is an innovative dental care concept. It works according to a natural active principle with a substance that is modeled on real tooth enamel: zinc carbonate hydroxylapatite. These biomimetic crystallites are also referred to as “artificial tooth enamel” 1 . When you brush your teeth, they repair microscopic defects in the surface of the tooth enamel and thus prevent daily wear and tear.
Due to the high degree of conformity with the natural enamel structure (biomimetics), the artificial enamel in Nordic Smile combines with the tooth surface and closes microscopic defects. A protective layer forms, which protects the real tooth enamel from wear and tear. The teeth immediately feel smoother. You can now achieve this effect by brushing your teeth every day – morning and evening.
1 Pure hydroxyapatite in complex with zinc carbonate, without organic secondary components
What is hydroxyapatite and how does it work?
Hydroxyapatite is a mineral that is formed in the body (teeth, bones) and can also be produced in the laboratory. The tooth enamel consists of approx. 97% hydroxyapatite. Its main components are calcium and phosphate. Using special manufacturing methods, it is possible to produce hydroxyapatite, which has properties similar to the basic building blocks of natural tooth enamel.
With hydroxyapatite, Nordic Smile forms a protective layer of artificial tooth enamel on the tooth surface when used daily. Even incipient caries lesions can be refilled in this way. Daily brushing with a toothpaste containing hydroxyapatite also closes the so-called dentin tubules. In this way, the sensitivity to pain caused by thermal and chemical stimuli can be noticeably reduced with exposed tooth necks.
Where does apatite occur in the human body?
Hydroxyapatite is the main component of teeth and bones. Especially because the enamel consists almost exclusively of hydroxyapatite, it makes sense to use this mineral in dental care products as well.
How are teeth structured?
Teeth are of vital importance to us when grinding food, but their appearance is also very important for our personal well-being. If possible, their color should correspond to a natural shade of white. These health and aesthetic reasons have led to great importance being attached to oral hygiene and prophylaxis today.
Scientifically speaking, teeth and bones are substances that have exceptional material properties. However, the structure of teeth is much more complex than that of bones. Both are biominerals that are formed by highly specialized cells through biomineralization processes.
Teeth generally consist of a tooth crown and a tooth root. The inside of the tooth consists of the dentin, the outside of the enamel. Tooth enamel is highly mineralized with approx. 97% mineral components (hydroxyapatite).
The smallest structural unit of tooth enamel is made up of needle-shaped hydroxylapatite crystallites. These crystallites are hierarchically organized parallel to one another in crystallite bundles (“enamel prisms”). The special microstructure in combination with 1-2% proteins, which act as “glue”, lead to the excellent mechanical properties of a tooth. Particularly noteworthy here is the high breaking strength. Due to the special microstructure, any cracks are deflected and remain locally limited.
In any case, due to the high degree of mineralization and the special microstructure, tooth enamel is the hardest tissue in the human body. Despite the excellent mechanical properties of tooth enamel, it can be damaged over time, for example through caries diseases. It is also important to know that hydroxyapatite (like all calcium phosphates) is acid-soluble. As a result, acidic beverages or foods (e.g. lemonades, fruit juices, energy drinks) lead to local dissolution of the tooth enamel (erosion) due to acids such as citric, phosphoric or acetic acid.
Nordic Smile repairs these microscopic defects in the surface of the tooth enamel.
If you analyze dentin with the aid of a microscope, you can see that the dentin is crossed by narrow canals that are a few micrometers in diameter. When the gums recede, these tubules can be exposed. This can lead to sensitivity to pain. A strategy to minimize or prevent sensitivity to pain is to block these exposed tubules (e.g. with zinc carbonate hydroxylapatite as in Nordic Smile).
What are the positive benefits of hydroxyapatite on tooth and gum health?
The positive influence of hydroxyapatite on the health of teeth and gums has been described in a large number of scientific publications. The outstanding biocompatibility of hydroxyapatite as well as the chemical and structural similarity to the natural tooth mineral should be emphasized. By regularly brushing your teeth with a hydroxyapatite-containing toothpaste or by using a hydroxyapatite-containing mouth rinse, a biomimetic hydroxyapatite protective layer can form on the tooth enamel, which can effectively protect the tooth enamel.
The consumption of acidic beverages and food can attack the tooth enamel (“erosion”). In the long run, the enamel can be irreparably damaged. It is therefore important to protect the natural tooth enamel from such acid attacks. This can be achieved through daily use of a toothpaste with hydroxyapatite. This applies a biomimetic protective layer made of hydroxyapatite to the tooth surface. In the event of an acid attack, the natural tooth is protected and the protective layer is attacked instead. The biomimetic protection is thus “sacrificed” and the actual tooth is protected.
It is important to use a toothpaste with hydroxyapatite on a daily basis during daily oral hygiene, as the acid attacks on tooth enamel described above take place continuously. In addition, the biomimetic layer on the tooth enamel can be further strengthened and strengthened by remineralization processes from the saliva (separation of calcium phosphate). In principle, hydroxyapatite is also able to repair the smallest defects in tooth enamel.
Hydroxyapatite is also ideally suited to minimize the adhesion and growth of bacterial biofilms. If bacterial biofilms are not removed, tooth and gum problems can arise in the long term. The advantage of using hydroxyapatite is that it (in contrast to classic antiseptic substances) is not toxic, but can limit the growth of undesirable bacteria. In addition, the teeth are not discolored.
Hydroxylapatite can also help if the teeth are sensitive to pain. The synthetic hydroxylapatite crystallites can block the dentinal tubules and the sensitivity of the teeth to pain can be reduced or prevented. The advantage of hydroxyapatite is again the very good biocompatibility and the similarity with the tooth mineral, which means that hydroxyapatite is far better suited than z. B. synthetic polymers or other exogenous substances.
Are apatites also used in medicine?
In addition to a wide range of applications in oral hygiene and dentistry (e.g. as an active ingredient in specialized toothpastes and mouth rinses and as tooth filling materials), apatites are also used in other medical applications due to their excellent biocompatibility and non-toxicity.
The microstructure and chemical properties of synthetic apatites are very similar to natural bone. Apatites are therefore used, in particular, in medicine to treat bone defects.
In addition, titanium implants (e.g. for dental prostheses) are coated with apatites using special coating processes in order to increase the biocompatibility of the implants and thus promote the growth of cells.
Due to its very good biocompatibility, hydroxyapatite can also be used as a carrier medium to transport active substances within the body. Hydroxyapatite is dissolved in the stomach, in which a strongly acidic environment prevails.