The oral microbiome thrives on consistency and gentleness. Beyond twice-daily brushing, a few simple habits make a meaningful difference to the long-term health of your mouth.

After eating, rinse before you brush. Saliva is your mouth's natural defence system it neutralizes acid and begins the process of remineralizing enamel after every meal.

Rinsing with water after eating helps remove food particles and gives saliva the chance to rebalance your oral pH before you introduce any actives. Waiting at least 30 minutes after eating before brushing also reduces the risk of brushing on temporarily softened enamel.

Floss before you brush, always. Flossing first loosens the debris and biofilm between teeth so your toothpaste can reach those surfaces during brushing. Brushing first and flossing after leaves that disrupted material in the mouth.

Consider oil pulling a few times a week. Done after water flossing and before brushing, a short oil pulling session can help soften hardened plaque along the gumline and provides gentle antimicrobial support for gum tissue without disrupting beneficial bacteria the way harsh rinses can.

Use a food-grade oil, swish gently for several minutes, and always discard the pulled oil rather than swallowing it, as it will have absorbed bacteria and debris from the mouth.

Scrape your tongue morning and night. The tongue harbours a significant portion of the oral microbiome, including bacteria responsible for bad breath and systemic inflammation. A gentle scrape before brushing removes overnight accumulation and primes the mouth for your morning ritual.

Small, consistent habits compound.

The mouth is a portal what happens there affects the rest of the body, and treating it with the same intention you bring to the rest of your wellness routine is the foundation of everything Bastét is built on.

Nano-hydroxyapatite (nano-HA or nHA) is a biomimetic mineral — synthesised to be chemically identical to the hydroxyapatite that makes up 97% of tooth enamel and 70% of dentin. When you brush, the nano-sized particles (roughly 20 nanometres) bond directly to the enamel surface. Because a smoother surface reflects more light, it also contributes to a brighter appearance.

nano-HA has been used in Japan since 1993 and approved in Canada since 2015.

Nano-hydroxyapatite is the ingredient our entire formula is built around. We chose it because it's biomimetic chemically identical to the mineral your teeth are already made of so rather than sitting on top of the tooth as a foreign coating, it bonds naturally to the enamel surface.

It's also one of the most studied ingredients in modern oral care, with a safety record spanning more than 30 years, non-toxic and safe if swallowed.

Bastét is formulated at a 10% concentration, the concentration most studied in clinical research. We state that number plainly because transparency matters in a category where it's often missing.

Both nano-HA and fluoride remineralize enamel but they work differently, and nano-HA carries some very meaningful advantages. Fluoride works by forming fluorapatite on the surface of the enamel, a protective layer, but one that is limited to the outermost surface. Nano-HA particles are small enough to penetrate enamel microporosities and repair subsurface lesions, which is where early cavities actually begin. It is the difference between patching the outside of a wall and strengthening the structure from within. Nano-HA also does not carry fluoride's concerns: there is no risk of dental fluorosis, and it is completely safe if swallowed, which matters for children, people who struggle to spit fully, and anyone mindful of systemic toxin load.

Bastét uses pure nano-hydroxyapatite rod-shaped particles in the nano range (<100 nm), the particle morphology recognized as both safe and effective in scientific literature. The rod shape mirrors the natural crystal structure of enamel.

NanoXIM is a proprietary nano-hydroxyapatite suspension produced by Fluidinova in Portugal, used by some brands in our category as their nHA source. We chose not to and the reason comes down to efficacy, economics, and our manufacturing partner.

NanoXIM is a pre-dispersed aqueous suspension. At typical usage rates, it delivers approximately 3% nano-hydroxyapatite in the finished toothpaste, with roughly 90% of its content being an inactive aqueous carrier added primarily to simplify processing for manufacturers without high-shear mixing capability. Bastét is formulated at 10% pure nano-HA — roughly three times more.

That pre-dispersion step exists to solve a manufacturing problem we don't have. Our contract manufacturer is among the best in the industry, with top-tier equipment, strong process controls, and deep expertise in handling fine powders and complex formulations. They already have the high-shear mixing capability to disperse nano-HA powder correctly and consistently. Paying for a pre-dispersed system would mean paying for water and a carrier we don't need, while delivering a fraction of the active ingredient.

By formulating directly with pure nHA powder at the full 10% loading, we put a much higher share of our cost into true active ingredients, maintain complete control over concentration and sourcing, and fully leverage our manufacturer's capabilities.

Our position isn't that NanoXIM is a poor ingredient it's that it isn't the most efficient or necessary route for a brand working with a high-end, well-equipped manufacturing partner who can reliably produce a 10% nHA toothpaste with competitive pricing.

Both micro and nano-hydroxyapatite are forms of the same mineral, the calcium phosphate compound that makes up 97% of your enamel. The difference is particle size, and that difference matters more than it might sound.

Micro-hydroxyapatite particles typically measure 1–10 microns large enough to form a protective coating on the outer surface of enamel, but too large to penetrate into enamel microporosities or dentinal tubules.

Nano-hydroxyapatite particles sit below 100 nanometres roughly 20 nm in Bastét’s formulation which is small enough to penetrate enamel microporosities and reach sub-surface lesions. This is where early demineralization and caries actually begin. Nano-HA can therefore repair the structure of enamel from within, not just coat it from the outside. Its smaller size also makes it significantly more effective at occluding dentinal tubules, which is why nano-HA produces stronger sensitivity relief than micro-HA.

✦ The science: Research comparing micro and nano-HA consistently favours nano-HA for dentinal tubule occlusion and sub-surface remineralization. A 2014 randomized controlled trial (Tschoppe et al., J Dent) found nano-HA produced significantly greater tubule occlusion than micro-HA at equivalent concentrations, correlating with stronger sensitivity relief. For surface enamel remineralization, the two forms show comparable results — which means nano-HA delivers everything micro-HA does, plus sub-surface repair and deeper sensitivity relief.

Yes. nano-HA has a safety record developed over 30+ years of use in Japan, and is now used across Europe, Canada, and increasingly the United States.

The EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) concluded in July 2025 that nano-HA is safe in toothpaste at concentrations up to 29.5% under specified particle-morphology conditions. It is non-toxic if swallowed, biocompatible, and does not accumulate in soft tissue.

Published Clinical Evidence on nHA

The following studies and reviews confirm nHA’s safety and benefits:

1. Biomimetic hydroxyapatite and caries prevention: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Systematic review/meta-analysis. Found HAP/nHA to be non-inferior to fluoride for caries prevention, with added safety for children.

2. SCCS Final Opinion on Hydroxyapatite (nano) SCCS/1677/25 (July 2025)

Official safety opinion. nHA confirmed safe at concentrations up to 29.5% in toothpaste and 10% in mouthwash. Non-toxic, biocompatible, and no nano-specific concerns for ingestion. Applies to rod-shaped particles only.

✦ This is the most current and comprehensive SCCS ruling on nano-HA — superseding the 2023 opinion (SCCS/1648/22) which set the limit at 10%. Bastét’s 10% formulation is well within both the old and new approved limits.

3. Nano-hydroxyapatite and its applications in preventive, restorative and regenerative dentistry: a review of literature

Review paper. nHA highlighted as superior for remineralization over fluoride, with excellent safety and biocompatibility profile.

4. Effect of nano-hydroxyapatite concentration on remineralization of initial enamel lesion in vitro

In vitro study. nHA at 10% shown to be highly effective for enamel lesion remineralization — with no statistically significant improvement at higher concentrations, confirming 10% as the optimal dose.

5. The use of hydroxyapatite toothpaste to prevent dental caries

Review of clinical and lab studies. nHA shown equivalent or superior to fluoride for caries prevention, with additional benefits in sensitivity relief and safety.

6. Comparative efficacy of a hydroxyapatite and fluoride toothpaste for prevention and remineralization of dental caries in children

Double-blinded RCT. Found nHA and fluoride toothpaste to have equal efficacy for remineralizing caries and preventing lesions in children.

7. Enamel remineralization and repair results of Biomimetic Hydroxyapatite toothpaste on deciduous teeth

In vitro and in vivo study. nHA equivalent to fluoride, forms new enamel layer and poses no risk of fluorosis for children.

8. Remineralization Potential of New Toothpaste Containing Nano-Hydroxyapatite

In vitro study. nHA toothpaste effective for remineralizing enamel with or without fluoride.

9. Reconsidering remineralization strategies to include nanoparticle hydroxyapatite

In vitro paper. nHA demonstrated mineral restoration on demineralized enamel; valid alternative to fluoride.

10. Remineralization potential of fully demineralized dentin infiltrated with silica and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles

Bioengineering study. Shows nHA’s role in restoring lost dentin mineral via nanoparticle infiltration.

11. Fabrication and characterization of remineralizing dental composites containing hydroxyapatite nanoparticles

Dental materials study. nHA in composites releases minerals and restores enamel under acidic conditions.