Dental treatments using sheep’s wool and other hair could help repair enamel and prevent tooth decay, a new study suggests. By extracting keratin—a protein found in hair, skin, and nails—from wool and applying it to teeth, scientists created a protective, enamel-like coating.
Researchers believe this could lead to sustainable, low-cost treatments for early tooth decay within two to three years. The findings were published on August 12 in the journal Advanced Healthcare Materials. “Keratin offers a transformative alternative to current dental treatments,” said Sara Gamea, a dentistry researcher at King’s College London. “It is sustainably sourced from biological waste and eliminates the need for traditional plastic resins, which are toxic and less durable. Moreover, keratin can match the natural color of teeth more closely.”
Untreated tooth decay affects 2 billion people worldwide, making it the most common oral health condition. Acidic foods, poor oral hygiene, and daily wear break down the enamel protecting teeth, leading to cavities and tooth loss. “Enamel does not regenerate,” explained Sherif Elsharkawy, a prosthodontics researcher at King’s College London. “Once it’s gone, it’s lost forever.”
To explore keratin’s potential, Elsharkawy and his team extracted keratin from wool and mixed it with water. This formed a thin film that, once applied to tooth samples, created a strong, crystal-like coating reminiscent of natural enamel. Over a month, this coating attracted calcium and phosphate ions, forming a hard protective layer.
The scientists are working on making keratin treatments publicly available. Keratin toothpastes or professional coatings at dental offices could be offered in a few years. “Biotechnology allows us to restore biological function using the body’s materials,” Elsharkawy said. “With further development and industry partnerships, we might soon enhance smiles using something as simple as a haircut.”
