Research Roundup: Reversing physical signs of aging

Remineralizing teeth | Old person smell | Skin rejuvenation

Here are three quick snippets about new studies related to reversing common aging problems.

Remineralization of teeth:

For many of us, cavities in our younger years lead to root canals, which often end up failing, leading to dental implants. Fillings —> root canals —> implants.

There has to be a better way!

Why not grow new enamel? Hydroxyapatite is the type of calcium phosphate that makes up dental enamel. Toothpaste containing hydroxyapatite has been available in many countries (especially Japan) for decades, and it is now more common to find it in the US, too. (I’m currently using the Himalaya brand toothpaste that contains hydroxyapatite.)

However, hydroxyapatite alone is often not enough to repair a cavity — it needs a structured material to facilitate the process.

This new study uses a keratin-based film to promote hydroxyapatite growth. Keratin is a structural protein that makes up your hair - and sheep’s wool, which is what the researchers used in this study. ¹

Graphical abstract

While this isn’t a commercial product you’ll get at the dentist today, hopefully this type of research will lead to ways that we can regrow enamel without: fillings —> root canals —> implants.

In the meantime, if you haven’t yet discovered hydroxyapatite toothpaste, I encourage you to check it out.

Skin and odor changes in aging:

I associate “old person smell” with visiting relatives at a nursing home as a kid. It’s distinctive and hard to describe - something stale and a little greasy. And it turns out there may be natural ways to mitigate it.