How to Use Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste Tablets

It’s an exciting time for oral care. As we learn more about the needs of our teeth and how some conventional products may be doing more harm than good (especially for our planet), better solutions are emerging. Hydroxyapatite and toothpaste tablets are two of these new innovations. Let’s look at exactly what both are, as well as answer the question: how does hydroxyapatite toothpaste work? 

Toothpaste Tablets: What They Are and How to Use Them

Perhaps you’ve seen someone with a cute glass jar of them, and they’ve got you wondering, what are toothpaste tablets? Well, they’re exactly what they sound like! Packed into bite-sized tablets of solid toothpaste, these tablets work just like the more traditional paste, but come without the tube. 

Toothpaste tablets work with the saliva in your mouth to create a foaming lather like conventional toothpaste. You simply pop one in your mouth, chew it (without swallowing), and let it mix with your saliva. Then, add some water to your toothbrush and brush like usual. 

Why Hydroxyapatite?

As another innovation in the world of oral care, hydroxyapatite toothpaste has also emerged as a new way to produce a healthier mouth. Lumped in with another popular dental ingredient, many are wondering about fluoride vs. hydroxyapatite. Both are known to remineralize the teeth—but hydroxyapatite may provide additional benefits (without some of the concerns that come with fluoride).

In fact, this is why many people are asking what is hydroxyapatite toothpaste? More toothpastes are incorporating the hydroxyapatite mineral to support tooth whitening, enamel fortification, and a healthy oral microbiome. Unlike fluoride, hydroxyapatite doesn’t kill all bacteria (including those that are good), nor does it present a risk of toxicity. 

When it comes to how to use hydroxyapatite toothpaste—whether in tablet or paste form, the process is the same! Simply chew the tablet, like mentioned above, or apply to a toothbrush and brush.  

Let’s take a trip back to one of your earliest trips to the dentist to revisit proper tooth-brushing techniques. 

Proper Techniques for Brushing Teeth

But first, can little ones use hydroxyapatite toothpaste and is natural toothpaste safe for kids? It is! Actually, given their smaller body sizes and underdeveloped metabolism, toothpaste with recognizable and non-toxic ingredients is in many ways safer than conventional toothpastes. 

But we can use this question as a good opportunity for the entire family to brush up (pun intended) on proper techniques.  

How to Brush Teeth: Infants and Young Children

• When you see young teeth emerge (around 0-2 years), it’s time to start brushing! Use an age-appropriate toothbrush with a smear of natural toothpaste and gently brush the emerging teeth. 
• By three, you can look for toddler or child-friendly toothpaste and use a little more (pea-sized serving). Still, parents should be the ones doing the brushing. 
• By the time a child is 3-6 years old, they’ll start to grasp spitting. This reduces their risk of swallowing toothpaste, but still parents should keep a close eye on them as they continue to build their teeth brushing skills. Two minutes, twice a day is best. 

How to Brush Teeth: Older Children and Adults

• Permanent teeth should emerge at around age six. At this point, kids can brush like an adult!
• Both children and adults should use a toothbrush that fits well and a pea-sized amount of toothpaste (or an already-measured toothpaste tablet!).
• The toothbrush should be at a 45-degree angle to the gums.
• Gentle and short, tooth-wide strokes going back and forth should be used. 
• The outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of the teeth should be brushed.  
• To reach the inside surfaces, the brush can be tilted vertically and up-and-down strokes can be used. 
• Teeth should be brushed at least twice a day and the toothbrush should be replaced every three to four months. 

Enhance Your Oral Care Routine

To top off the excellent brushing techniques used with your nano hydroxyapatite toothpaste, be sure to floss daily to remove the decay-causing bacteria that linger between teeth. Oil pulling can help to bind and dispel bacteria and other toxins, while a tongue scraper takes care of that often-neglected part of your mouth: your tongue! Together, these tools and their regular use support not just your mouth and teeth, but your whole-body health, too.