From Space to Your Smile: The Story of Nano-Hydroxyapatite

Nano-hydroxyapatite wasn't developed in a dental lab. It was born out of the space race. In the 1970s, NASA scientists were tasked with solving a pressing problem: how to maintain astronaut bone and dental health during long-duration spaceflight, where mineral loss from zero gravity was a real concern. Their research led them to synthesize a biocompatible form of hydroxyapatite—the same mineral naturally found in human teeth and bones.

The technology didn't stay in orbit for long. Japanese healthcare company Sangi Co. licensed the NASA research and in 1980 launched the world's first n-HA toothpaste, Apadent, onto the Japanese market. It became a mainstream ingredient in Japanese oral care long before the West caught on, remaining largely unknown outside Asia and specialist dental circles for decades.

What the science says today

Research interest in n-HA has grown significantly in recent years. A number of peer-reviewed studies have explored its biocompatibility and its interaction with tooth enamel, with researchers drawn to the fact that it is chemically similar to the mineral the body naturally produces. While the science is still evolving and n-HA, the published literature has generated enough interest that it is now a widely studied ingredient in oral care research worldwide.

NovaTabz use 5% n-HA, a concentration consistent with formulations appearing in the published literature, to help keep your enamel surface feeling smooth and clean.