Sheep’s Wool and Stronger Smiles: A Surprising Dental Breakthrough

At Midwest BioHealth, we’re always watching for new innovations that align with our holistic approach to dentistry. One of the most fascinating discoveries to come out of recent research is that a natural protein found in sheep’s wool—called keratin—may help teeth repair themselves.

Keratin is the same protein that makes up our hair, skin, and nails. Scientists recently found a way to extract keratin from wool and apply it to damaged teeth. When this protein film is placed on a tooth, it interacts with the minerals in saliva and begins forming a crystal-like coating that looks and acts a lot like natural enamel. Over time, this coating attracts calcium and phosphate—the same building blocks our teeth are made of—and strengthens the tooth surface.

Why does this matter?
For years, dentistry has relied heavily on plastics, metals, and chemicals to restore teeth. While these materials can serve a purpose, they don’t always support the body’s natural balance, and some may even introduce unwanted risks. A keratin-based approach opens the door to more natural, sustainable, and biocompatible options.

Imagine a toothpaste or in-office treatment that uses the body’s own chemistry—supported by a natural protein—to help rebuild enamel. That’s the direction this research is heading. Early studies suggest that within the next few years, patients may see new options for enamel repair that are safer, longer lasting, and more natural than what has been available in the past.

At Midwest BioHealth, we believe the future of dentistry lies in working with the body, not against it. Discoveries like keratin-based tooth repair give us hope that we’re moving closer to a dental model that truly supports whole-body health.