Wow in the World

Hair Today, Teeth Tomorrow: Keratin’s Surprising Smile-Repair Superpower!

Mar 16, 2026
A hilarious tale about a helmet haircut, rollerblades, and a goofy Hairy Fairy tradition. A surprising pivot to science reveals keratin from hair might help rebuild or protect tooth enamel. The crew imagines keratin-powered toothpaste and dental treatments that could beat current materials.
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ANECDOTE

Dennis Loses His Hair Clippings To The Hairy Fairy

  • Dennis claims he left his haircut clippings on the floor and jokes they're now in a dumpster while friends describe a Hairy Fairy tradition.
  • The group imagines the Hairy Fairy sneaking through a keyhole to collect strong hair and leave rewards, grounding the episode's playful hook.
INSIGHT

Keratin From Hair Can Build A Strong Tooth Coating

  • Researchers at King's College London found keratin from hair can form a protective crystal coating on teeth when mixed with saliva minerals.
  • That coating attracts calcium and grew five to six times stronger than the plastic resin dentists now use in lab tests.
ADVICE

Expect Refined Keratin Not Raw Hair In Toothpaste

  • Scientists plan to extract keratin by chemically and thermally breaking down hair, then purify it into a powder or gel for dental products.
  • That refined keratin could be added to toothpaste, mouthwash, or dentist-applied enamel sealers without using whole hair.
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