Science

The Science of Bastét

Nano-hydroxyapatite (nano-HA or nHA) is a biomimetic mineral meaning it’s synthesised to be chemically identical to the hydroxyapatite that makes up 97% of your tooth enamel and 70% of your dentin. When you brush with it, the nano-sized particles (roughly 20 nanometres) bond directly to your enamel, filling in microscopic cracks and demineralized areas with the exact mineral your teeth are made of.

The result: enamel that is measurably harder, more resistant to acid attack, whiter (because a smoother surface reflects more light), and less sensitive (because nano-HA occludes the dentinal tubules, the tiny channels that connect to nerve endings).

✦ The science: Nano-HA has been used in Japan since 1993 and approved in Canada since 2015. A 2022 scoping review of 28 clinical studies (Int J Environ Res Public Health) concluded nHA has proven benefits including enamel remineralization, caries inhibition, reduced sensitivity, and improved tooth brightness.

No and this is one of the most important questions in the category. Bastét uses 10% nano-HA because that is the concentration identified in multiple clinical studies as the optimal dose for enamel remineralization. Going higher does not produce meaningfully better results.

✦ The science: A foundational study (Huang et al., Biomed Mater, 2009) tested 1%, 5%, 10%, and 15% nano-HA concentrations on demineralized enamel. Surface microhardness recovery increased with concentration up to 10% — but there was no statistically significant difference between the 10% and 15% groups. A 2022 scoping review explicitly states: ‘The optimal concentration of nHAp in dentifrices is 10%.’ Bastét’s 10% is transparent, evidenced, and clinically meaningful.

Both nano-HA and fluoride remineralize enamel but they work differently, and nano-HA has some very meaningful advantages.

Fluoride works by forming fluorapatite on the surface of the enamel, a protective layer, but one that’s 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’s the difference between patching the outside of a wall and strengthening the structure from within.

Nano-HA also doesn’t carry fluoride’s concerns: there’s no risk of dental fluorosis (white spots caused by excess fluoride in childhood), and it’s completely safe if swallowed which matters for children, people who struggle to spit fully, and anyone mindful of systemic toxin load.

✦ The science: Multiple randomized clinical trials have found nano-HA comparable or superior to fluoride in remineralizing early enamel lesions. A 2011 in situ clinical study (Najibfard et al., J Clin Dent) using intraoral appliances found 10% nano-HA produced remineralization statistically equivalent to 1,100 ppm fluoride.

Bastét uses pure nano-hydroxyapatite rod-shaped particles in the nano range (<100 nm), which is the particle morphology recognized as both safe and effective by scientific literature. The rod shape matters: it mirrors the natural crystal structure of enamel, allowing for more effective bonding and integration into the enamel surface compared to irregularly shaped particles.

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 an exceptional safety record developed over 30+ years of clinical use in Japan, and it’s now widely 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. Unlike fluoride, nano-HA is non-toxic even if swallowed, biocompatible (it’s the same mineral already in your body), 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.

What is not in Bastét

If you didn’t know, fluoride works by creating a barrier on the outside of the tooth: fluorapatite. This barrier works to make teeth more acid resistant. Fluoride is also antimicrobial but not selectively so, meaning it kills the bad and the good bacteria. nHA our hero ingredient is a stronger protectant in that it remineralizes teeth from the inside out and nourishes your biome. Additionally there are no risks of fluorosis or any other systemic or toxicity concerns.

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% active 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 delivers 10% pure active nano-HA, roughly three times more active ingredient.

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’s not 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 strong efficacy and competitive pricing.

Although, this is an ingredient that is commonly used. a foaming surfactant typically found in commercial grade floor cleaners linked to oral mucosal irritation and canker sore frequency. This is an inflammatory ingredient that has no functional purpose, we don’t believe it belongs in our mouths.

(no honey, no glucose, no sucrose) - Hopefully this one feels obvious but sugars are some of the strongest causes of cavities and dental decay. We don’t believe they belong in toothpaste.

This ingredient is commonly flagged in beauty products, this seaweed derived binder carries potential risk for mucosal irritation aka inflammation and is also linked to gut inflammation. Leaky gums = leaky gut.

There is no reason why these should be in our mouths. Strong links to endocrine-disruption. We would never include any ingredients that harm endocrine systems.

Really all it is a whitening agent. It has been debated whether it is a possible carcinogen. Nano hydroxyapatite creates smoother surfaces and creates a more naturally white tooth surface.

Our goal is for every customer to be totally satisfied with their purchase. If this isn't the case, let us know and we'll do our best to work with you to make it right.

We will work quickly to ship your order as soon as possible. Once your order has shipped, you will receive an email with further information. Delivery times vary depending on your location.

Our products are manufactured both locally and globally. We carefully select our manufacturing partners to ensure our products are high quality and a fair value.

There is no functional purpose for these ingredients in oral care.

Easily replaced with cleaner less potentially inflammatory ingredients like glycerin, aloe vera and xylitol. You wouldn’t want to be ingesting this ingredient and it doesn’t need to go in your mouth.

Bestseller

Have you joined the waitlist?

We promise you nothing will taste better than Bastét.