Dr. Michelle Jorgensen, Dentist and Founder of Living Well with Dr. Michelle

Dr. Michelle Jorgensen
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Holistic Health and Wellness

Free Resources

 Tooth Remineralization Guide
Free Tooth Remineralization Guide from Dr. Michelle Jorgensen

What Is Hydroxyapatite? The Mineral Your Teeth Are Made Of
What Is Hydroxyapatite? The Mineral Your Teeth Are Made Of

I spent the first decade of my dental career recommending fluoride to every patient who sat in my chair. That was what dental school taught me. That was what the guidelines said. And I had no reason to question it.

Then my own health started unraveling. I discovered I had mercury toxicity, a consequence of years working with amalgam fillings in a poorly ventilated office. That experience sent me deep into research I had never done before. And somewhere in that research, I found something that stopped me cold: the mineral my patients' teeth were actually made of, and the emerging science around using it directly in oral care.

Hydroxyapatite had been in the dental literature for decades. It was just never part of the American conversation. Once I understood what it was and what the research showed, I couldn't go back. I reformulated my practice. Then I started making products I could stand behind completely.

Here's what I now know, and what I want every parent to understand before their next dental purchase

The Simple Answer

Hydroxyapatite (pronounced hy-drok-see-AP-uh-tite) is a naturally occurring calcium phosphate mineral. It is the primary structural component of your teeth and your bones. Approximately 96% of your tooth enamel is made of tightly packed hydroxyapatite crystals. It is, quite simply, what your teeth are built from.

That's the whole foundation. When you brush with hydroxyapatite, you're putting back the same mineral your enamel is made of. Your body recognizes it. It integrates it. There's no foreign compound involved, no reaction to manage.

The dentin layer beneath your enamel is roughly 70% hydroxyapatite. Your bones are 60-70%. It's the same structural mineral throughout your entire skeletal system.

How It Works

Your mouth runs a constant mineral exchange every single day. Every time you eat or drink something acidic, the acid temporarily softens your enamel surface and pulls minerals out. This is called demineralization. Your saliva works continuously to reverse it, depositing calcium and phosphate back onto the tooth surface. That's remineralization.

When more minerals leave than come back, because of diet, dry mouth, acidic drinks, or simply not getting enough minerals in your system, you tip the balance toward demineralization. That's when white spots appear. That's when sensitivity shows up. And if it continues, that's when cavities form.

What makes hydroxyapatite so effective is that it doesn't just coat the surface. The particles integrate into the enamel crystal structure because they're bioidentical, the same compound already in your teeth. Your saliva carries the hydroxyapatite to where it's needed and fills in the gaps left by demineralization.

What Hydroxyapatite Does for Your Teeth

These are the hydroxyapatite benefits my patients experience, and what the clinical research supports:

Remineralizes Weakened Enamel

Hydroxyapatite deposits mineral directly into areas of the enamel that have started to demineralize. This is especially important for early white spot lesions, the first visible sign of cavity formation, where catching the problem before it deepens can mean the difference between remineralization and a filling.

Reduces Tooth Sensitivity

Sensitivity happens when the dentinal tubules, tiny channels that connect to the nerve of your tooth, are exposed. Hydroxyapatite physically occludes (fills) those channels, blocking the pain signal. Most patients see meaningful improvement within two to four weeks of consistent use.

Whitens Without Bleaching

Hydroxyapatite polishes surface stains away by restoring the natural mineral clarity of your enamel. It does not bleach or chemically alter the color of your teeth. The result is gradual, natural-looking whitening that doesn't cause the sensitivity that peroxide-based products often do.

Supports Long-Term Enamel Strength

Used consistently over time, hydroxyapatite helps maintain enamel density and fills in surface microcracks before they develop further. Think of it as ongoing maintenance for the hardest substance in your body.

Safe for the Whole Family

There are no swallowing warnings, no fluorosis risk, and no toxicity concerns with normal use. It is safe for adults, children, and nursing or pregnant mothers. This is one of the primary reasons I chose it for everything I make.
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Why I Use Micro Hydroxyapatite

You'll sometimes see products labeled with nano hydroxyapatite. I chose micro hydroxyapatite for everything I make, and the reason is straightforward: micro particles work on the surface of your enamel, exactly where remineralization happens. They're large enough to stay where they're doing their job. The research on micro hydroxyapatite is well established, and my patients have experienced consistent results.

In all of my products, I formulate with 15% micro hydroxyapatite. That concentration is what the research supports for meaningful remineralization. Not a trace amount buried in an ingredient list. Fifteen percent, consistently, in every formula.

This is one of the main reasons I started making my own products. I couldn't find anything on the market that met that standard. So I built it myself, the same way I'd want it for my own children and grandchildren.
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What the Research Shows

I know a lot of people have been told fluoride is the only clinically proven option. I want to share what the peer-reviewed literature actually says, because the science has moved significantly in the last decade.

A 2019 randomized clinical trial published in the Journal of Clinical Dentistry (Amaechi et al.) found that hydroxyapatite toothpaste was equally effective as fluoride toothpaste at remineralizing early enamel lesions after 12 weeks of use. A follow-up study in 2020 (BMC Oral Health) confirmed comparable cavity prevention outcomes in children over 24 months, without any fluoride involved.

Paszynska et al. (2021, Advances in Dermatology and Allergology) demonstrated significant reduction in tooth sensitivity with hydroxyapatite toothpaste over eight weeks. And Steinert et al. (2020, Clinical Oral Investigations) used electron microscopy to confirm that hydroxyapatite physically occludes dentinal tubules, the mechanism behind sensitivity relief.

These are peer-reviewed, published studies in respected dental journals. The science is there. I encourage you to read them. I've cited them in the Sources section below.
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Dr. Michelle Jorgensen DDS, BCTN, TNC

Dr. Michelle Jorgensen is an author, speaker, teacher, and practicing dentist who has spent over 25 years helping patients understand the connection between their oral health and whole-body health. After developing mercury toxicity from her own dental practice, she rebuilt her health through research and natural medicine and now shares what she's learned through her products, her writing, and her clinical work.

For the last 15 years, she has been one of the leading voices in biologic and holistic dentistry in the United States. She is the founder of Living Well with Dr. Michelle and the creator of the tooth powder line that has now sold over one million bottles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is hydroxyapatite?

Hydroxyapatite is a naturally occurring calcium phosphate mineral that makes up approximately 96% of your tooth enamel and about 70% of your bone. It's the structural mineral your body uses to build and maintain hard tissue. In toothpaste and tooth powder, it works by depositing back onto your enamel the same mineral that was lost through daily acid exposure.

What does hydroxyapatite do for your teeth?

Hydroxyapatite supports remineralization, the process of rebuilding enamel that has lost minerals. It also fills the dentinal tubules that cause tooth sensitivity, polishes surface stains, and helps maintain enamel density over time. It works best as a consistent daily-use ingredient, not a one-time treatment.

Is hydroxyapatite good for teeth?

Yes, and the research is clear. Multiple peer-reviewed clinical studies show hydroxyapatite is effective at remineralizing early enamel lesions, reducing sensitivity, and providing cavity prevention comparable to fluoride toothpaste. As a dentist who has used it in practice for years, my clinical experience aligns with what the studies show.

Is hydroxyapatite safe for daily use?

Yes. Hydroxyapatite is bioidentical, meaning it's the same compound your teeth are already made of. There are no swallowing warnings, no toxicity risk, and no fluorosis concern. It has a decades-long safety record across dentistry, medicine, and bone graft applications. It is safe for adults, children, and pregnant or nursing mothers.

How does hydroxyapatite compare to fluoride?

They work differently. Fluoride hardens existing enamel by converting hydroxyapatite into fluorapatite, which is more acid-resistant. Hydroxyapatite deposits the same mineral your enamel is already made of, directly filling in areas that have demineralized. Clinical studies show comparable effectiveness for cavity prevention. I prefer hydroxyapatite because it works with your body's natural mineral system without altering enamel chemistry or carrying the toxicity concerns that come with fluoride, especially for young children.

Can hydroxyapatite help with tooth sensitivity?

Yes, and this is one of the results I see most consistently in my patients. Sensitivity occurs when dentinal tubules are exposed and allow temperature or pressure signals to reach the nerve. Hydroxyapatite physically occludes those channels. Most patients report noticeable improvement within two to four weeks of consistent daily use.

How long does it take to see results?

For sensitivity, improvement is often noticeable within two to four weeks. For remineralization of early white spot lesions, clinical studies show meaningful results at eight to twelve weeks. Whitening effects from surface stain removal typically become visible within four to six weeks. The results are cumulative with daily use.

Is hydroxyapatite safe for children?

Yes, and this is one of the primary reasons I chose it for my products. Unlike fluoride, there are no swallowing warnings and no risk of dental fluorosis. It is bioidentical and completely safe for children of all ages. Pediatric clinical studies confirm comparable cavity prevention outcomes without fluoride-related safety concerns.

What is micro hydroxyapatite and why does it matter?

Micro hydroxyapatite refers to the particle size used in the formula. I use micro, not nano, hydroxyapatite in all my products because micro particles work on the enamel surface, exactly where remineralization occurs. The clinical research on micro hydroxyapatite is well established. I formulate at 15% concentration, which is what the research supports for meaningful enamel remineralization.

Does hydroxyapatite whiten teeth?

Yes, but through polishing rather than bleaching. Hydroxyapatite removes surface stains and restores the natural mineral clarity of your enamel. You're not lightening the enamel structure, you're returning it to its clearest state. The whitening is gradual and natural-looking, and it doesn't cause the sensitivity that comes with peroxide-based whitening products.

Sources

  1. Amaechi BT, AbdulAzees PA, Alshareif DO, et al. Comparative efficacy of a hydroxyapatite and a fluoride toothpaste for prevention and remineralization of dental caries in children. BDJ Open. 2019;5:18. doi:10.1038/s41405-019-0026-8
  2. Amaechi BT, AbdulAzees PA, Okoye LO, Meyer F, Enax J. Comparison of hydroxyapatite and fluoride oral care gels for remineralization of initial caries lesions in children. BMC Oral Health. 2020;20(1):303. doi:10.1186/s12903-020-01290-5
  3. Paszynska E, Pawinska M, Gawel K, Labuzek M. Randomized clinical study of hydroxyapatite versus fluoride toothpaste on the remineralization and desensitization. Advances in Dermatology and Allergology. 2021;38(4):619-626.
  4. Steinert S, Hentschel G, Meyer F, Enax J. Hydroxyapatite toothpaste for dentin hypersensitivity. Clinical Oral Investigations. 2020;24(8):2809-2822. doi:10.1007/s00784-019-03155-y
  5. Epple M, Meyer F, Enax J. A critical review of modern concepts for teeth whitening. Dentistry Journal. 2019;7(3):79. doi:10.3390/dj7030079
  6. Tschoppe P, Zandim DL, Martus P, Kielbassa AM. Enamel and dentine remineralization by nano-hydroxyapatite toothpastes. Journal of Dentistry. 2011;39(6):430-437.

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