There’s a new kid on the block in the toothpaste aisle. Next to the usual fluoride formulas, another option has been appearing: hydroxyapatite toothpaste.

Hydroxyapatite is the same mineral found in tooth enamel, and some claim using hydroxyapatite toothpaste can help plug tiny cracks in your teeth. Many brands are touting the new toothpaste as an effective alternative to fluoride. But does it actually protect your teeth, or is it just another trendy wellness product? After speaking with several experts, it seems like hydroxyapatite toothpaste might be worth trying.

Hydroxyapatite is a mineral made mostly of calcium and phosphorus that naturally occurs in human bones and teeth. It’s the main mineral in tooth enamel , the hard outer coating that helps protect your teeth from damage.

“ Enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, but it’s not invulnerable,” says Dr. Joachim Enax , a chemist and senior scientist at Dr. Kurt Wolff GmbH & Co. KG, which makes hydroxyapatite toothpastes.…