When most people think about hops, they probably think about beer. The flowering plant has been used in brewing for centuries, contributing bitterness and aroma while also helping preserve the finished product. But hops have also attracted scientific interest for consumer products, and researchers have been exploring whether those same characteristics have a case to be included in the toothpaste aisle.

During a November educational event hosted by Crest and Oral-B in Cincinnati, Procter & Gamble researchers introduced a new formulation of Crest Gum Detoxify that incorporates an extract derived from hops. The ingredient, developed through more than a decade of research, is intended to address a challenge dental professionals know well: the protective structure of oral biofilm and the difficulty of delivering therapeutic ingredients to bacteria embedded within it. Researchers believe that modifying this structure could improve the performance of stannous fluoride, an ingredient already widely used for its antimicrobial and gingival health benefits.

Why hops?

Hops, scientifically known as Humulus lupulus, contain several biologically active compounds, including ⍺-acids and β-acids. Both groups have attracted attention for their antimicrobial properties, although their chemistry and applications differ. ⍺-acids are best known for their role in brewing, where they undergo chemical changes during boiling that produce much of the bitterness associated with beer. β-acids, also called lupulones, have a different chemical structure and have been investigated for their antimicrobial activity.

It is the β-acids that caught the attention of researchers. Dr. Samuel St. John explained that his team had been investigating whether hops-derived compounds could help address the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix that surrounds and protects microorganisms within oral biofilm. The research eventually led to a formulation containing a hops extract standardized to 45% β-acids. At a concentration of 0.33% extract in the toothpaste, that translates to approximately 0.15% β-acids, or 1,500 parts per million.

While the antimicrobial properties of hops are part of their scientific history, the proposed application in toothpaste focuses on the structure of biofilm itself. Researchers have demonstrated the β-acids can modify components of the EPS matrix, improving the ability of other therapeutic ingredients to reach microorganisms that would otherwise be partially protected.

Getting through the biofilm

As we know, dental biofilm is considerably more complex than a collection of bacteria attached to tooth surfaces. The microorganisms exist within a structured community surrounded by an EPS matrix composed of extracellular DNA, polysaccharides, proteins, and other substances. This matrix contributes to biofilm adhesion and organization while also influencing how antimicrobial agents, like stannous fluoride, move through the biofilm and interact with the microorganisms inside.

Mechanical disruption remains fundamental to controlling dental biofilm, but even patients who brush regularly can leave deposits in difficult-to-access areas. Outside of brushing and flossing, another approach to biofilm disruption is through chemical intervention, though the efficacy is largely dependent on whether it can reach its target. Stannous fluoride is already well established in dentistry for its antimicrobial and gingival health benefits, but researchers have emphasized that the presence of stannous fluoride on an ingredient label does not necessarily mean every toothpaste delivers it in the same way.

Ross Strand, a research fellow who presented on stannous fluoride, discussed the importance of maintaining the stability and bioavailability of stannous ions. Formulating with stannous fluoride presents chemical challenges because the ingredient can undergo reactions that reduce the amount available to interact with oral surfaces and biofilm. Researchers described how stabilization, biofilm penetration, and the speed at which toothpaste disperses during brushing can influence the amount of active ingredient reaching its intended target.

The hops-derived β-acids are intended to address another part of that delivery challenge. According to the laboratory findings presented, the β-acids interact with components of the EPS matrix, producing measurable changes in its structure. Investigations using molecular probes and scanning electron microscopy showed alterations in extracellular DNA-associated signals and visible changes in biofilm architecture. Researchers demonstrated these changes improved access for stannous fluoride, allowing more of the antimicrobial ingredient to reach microorganisms embedded within the biofilm.

There is a crucial difference between disrupting the EPS matrix, physically removing biofilm, and killing the bacteria within it. The research presented at the summit supports a mechanism involving changes to the matrix and improved delivery of stannous fluoride, but those processes should not be treated as interchangeable. The company has combined the hops-derived β-acids with stabilized stannous fluoride and a redesigned toothpaste formulation intended to disperse rapidly during brushing.

What happens next?

So, what does all this mean? It means that early next year, a patient will find themselves standing in the toothpaste aisle and discover a new product, Crest Gum Detoxify with Activ Bio-Cleanser. No doubt there will be a sleuth out there who researches every ingredient and discovers that the new formulation contains hops-derived β-acid extract. Before long, TikTok influencers will be posting about the latest “beer toothpaste” innovation, and patients will start asking whether they should be using it.

When those questions come, dental professionals will need to be prepared to discuss what the science actually supports and where more research is needed. Hopefully, this article gives you a foundation for those conversations so you can help patients make informed decisions about their oral health. And when they return for their next recall appointment, you may have some clinical observations of your own to add to the research.

Editorial disclosure: Crest/Oral-B covered the author's travel expenses to attend this educational event. This article was not sponsored or paid for by Crest/Oral-B. The reporting, analysis, and editorial opinions are entirely the author's own, and Crest/Oral-B had no editorial control over the content.