Davids blog
is teeth whitening safe? why you should swap peroxides for PAP teeth whitening
With so many teeth whitening products that immediately cause sensitivity, burning, and bleeding, it’s no wonder many people are asking: is teeth whitening safe? The conventional teeth whitening industry we know today has been dominated by peroxides for decades. The first peroxide-based whitening formulas were crafted back in 1960, and we feel that they haven’t been explored or questioned nearly enough in the last six decades. While these chemical whitening agents are known to get the job done, it’s no secret that they can cause some damage in the process. So, we’re covering some of the reasons peroxides cause so much discomfort while they whiten. We’re also going to discuss some natural teeth whitening alternatives that are starting to steal the spotlight from old formulas full of peroxides and fluoride. These cutting-edge whitening alternatives fuse PAP, an organic acid known for its whitening capabilities, and hydroxyapatite, your newest remineralizing superhero ingredient. Together, these two innovative ingredients work to whiten and brighten your smile without causing discomfort and long-term damage. In fact, they do the opposite by strengthening your teeth to nurture long term oral and overall health. So, without further ado, let’s dive into some ways you can make your whitening routine safer and gentler on your oral microbiome. is teeth whitening safe? Generally speaking, teeth whitening is safe, but there are potential risks. When using these products at home (especially conventional whitening products formulated with peroxides), it can be easy to misuse or overuse the product. We know it’s tempting to think that whitening more often might lead to an even brighter smile, but overuse can lead to some pretty unpleasant side effects. When it comes to answering the question, “Is teeth whitening safe?,” we recommend listening to your mouth. It will tell you when whitening is doing more harm than good through increased sensitivity, gum irritation, bleeding, and more. If it hurts to simply bite down after your whitening session, it might not be too safe after all. No matter what, we recommend consulting with your dentist before you start a new teeth whitening routine! the problem with peroxides Now you might be wondering why some whitening products immediately cause sensitivity and irritation, while others don’t. This has a lot to do with the concentration of peroxides (hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide) in the product. Peroxides are the main bleaching agent in conventional whitening products, and it’s no secret that they get the whitening job done. But at what cost? For years, peroxides have been known to cause complications such as sensitivity, enamel erosion, gum irritation, bleeding, sores, and beyond. There’s a reason peroxide-based whitening products come with thorough instructions: keep the product from touching your gums, don’t let it sit on your teeth for too long, don’t use it too often, do not swallow, etc. To no surprise, many countries have placed restrictions and bans on peroxide-based products. The EU and Canada both have strict concentration limits, while Japan has completely banned hydrogen peroxide in cosmetics. If the product is paired with so many warnings and regulations around the world, is it truly safe? Don’t worry, we’re not saying you have to ditch teeth whitening altogether, but there is a gentler, natural alternative to peroxides: PAP teeth whitening. our preferred method, natural teeth whitening PAP teeth whitening is the more natural alternative to peroxide-based products. PAP (Phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid) is an organic acid that promotes bleaching, and it does so without releasing the same harmful atoms that peroxides do. These harmful atoms, aka free radicals, can cause damage to your mouth’s cells and tissues. If you move your tongue around your mouth, it’s easy to feel that there’s a lot of soft, cushy tissue all over. These cells and tissues are prone to irritation and inflammation, so we want to make sure we’re using products that are gentle and safe. Peroxides are also known to wear down your enamel and cause irritation and inflammation, which is why they cause so much sensitivity even after one use. Unlike peroxides, PAP teeth whitening products are often fortified with hydroxyapatite, an amazing ingredient that already exists in your enamel and works to remineralize it from the inside out. With help from hydroxyapatite, PAP teeth whitening methods actually work to strengthen your enamel, not wear it down. This reduces the risk of sensitivity and nurtures your oral health in the long run! With PAP you don’t have to deal with painful sensitivity right after a whitening session, so you can proudly and comfortably show off your bright white smile! how hydroxyapatite can help In addition to PAP teeth whitening products that are formulated with hydroxyapatite, you can get a daily dose of hydroxyapatite with our sensitive + whitening toothpaste. It’s made with amazing ingredients that work to fight tooth decay, reverse enamel damage, nourish your gums, relieve sensitivity, freshen your breath, and whiten your teeth! Gentle abrasives such as calcium carbonate and hydrated silica work to safely whiten and polish your teeth, while xylitol and baking soda work to kill bad bacteria and neutralize plaque-forming acids. Then, nano-hydroxyapatite particles bind to your enamel on a microscopic level, remineralizing damaged areas from the inside out to reduce decay and relieve sensitivity. Sounds like a pretty incredible whitening and remineralizing dream team, right? Until we make a special announcement about some new natural teeth whitening products, we encourage you to stock up on hydroxyapatite toothpaste for your brightest, strongest smile yet! buy now.
Learn more10 creative ways to celebrate world smile day + make it brighter with hydroxyapatite
Friday, October 6th is World Smile Day! Falling on the first Friday in October every year, World Smile Day is all about spreading kindness and happiness. We’re celebrating by exploring the history behind the holiday, some little-known fun facts about smiling, and some unexpected ways to spread smiles. With the potential to instantly boost your mood and increase your longevity, one smile has a lot more power than you might think! the story behind world smile day World Smile Day is the product of an iconic symbol: the smiley face.Harvey Ball created the smiley face in 1963, not knowing it would become one of the most famous (and happiest) symbols in the world. As the smiley face gained popularity, Harvey began to grow apprehensive about its commercialization, fearing its original meaning (to spread cheer) would get lost. (This is understandable, now that we often convey fake smiles through emojis on our phones.) In an effort to preserve the meaning behind the smiley face, Harvey created World Smile Day in 1999. From then on, the first Friday of October would be an annual celebration dedicated to smiles, kindness, and happiness. To get you feeling inspired about this delightful day, let’s dive into 10 fun facts about smiling! smiling alone can boost your mood by increasing serotonin + dopamine in the brain it calms your nervous system (in turn, relieving stress + boosting your immune system) smiling is often referred to as the “natural painkiller” it’s one of the few universal signs of happiness smiling uses anywhere from 5 to 53 facial muscles (depending on the smile) there are 19 different types of smiles babies can start smiling as soon as they’re born science says that smiling is contagious studies show that women smile more often than men smiling might increase longevity There you have it, one smile has the power to ignite a lot of positivity for yourself and the people around you! creative ways to celebrate world smile day The motto behind World Smile Day is: "Do an act of kindness. Help one person smile!” To celebrate, we’ve dreamed up 10 creative ways you can spread smiles. treat someone to their morning cup of coffee/tea make dinner for a neighbor/friend in need if you see a parking meter expired, add some money to it compliment someone out loud (often we think these things but don’t say them) leave a note with words of affirmation on someone’s car leave a treat outside for your mail/package carrier plant a new tree with a new friend write your partner an unexpected love note write a heartfelt thanks to your helpful coworker rake your neighbor's leaves when you go to do your own We’d love to hear the creative ideas you come up with! Be sure to share your stories about brightening someone’s day on World Smile Day. natural teeth whitening for a brighter smile We know it can feel hard to get excited about World Smile Day (or get all the benefits of smiling) when you’re not feeling confident about your smile. If you’ve ever felt insecure about the alignment of your teeth, the shade of your enamel, or anything in regard to your oral health, you know that your smile can have a huge impact on your self-esteem....often keeping you from avoiding the act altogether. Studies show that people who smile less seem less approachable and might not even get promoted as quickly as their smiling counterparts. To help you feel more confident about your smile, we’re sharing some of our favorite natural teeth whitening techniques. (In regards to issues with your oral health and alignment, we’re here to encourage you to make an appointment with your dentist.) hydroxyapatite toothpaste: brushing daily with Davids sensitive + whitening hydroxyapatite toothpaste can work wonders for your white smile. Not only does science show that hydroxyapatite alone can lighten the shade of your teeth, but it does so by strengthening and remineralizing your enamel. The result is a bright white smile that actually feels better since hydroxyapatite remineralization provides both enamel repair and tooth sensitivity relief. natural mouthwash: while conventional mouthwash is all about wiping out all of the bacteria in your delicate oral microbiome, natural mouthwash works to reduce bad bacteria and stabilize your mouth’s pH without completely wiping it out. It does so by avoiding harmful ingredients such as alcohol and peroxides and instead using intentional ingredients such as xylitol and hydroxyapatite. As the natural mouthwash effectively balances the bacteria in your mouth, xylitol and nano hydroxyapatite work together as a remineralizing dream team to strengthen your enamel (and your confidence along with it). Stay tuned for a special announcement from us about a brand-new natural mouthwash! PAP teeth whitening: Phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid (PAP) is a natural alternative to peroxide-based chemical whitening that’s gentle on your enamel. Unlike peroxide-based products, PAP teeth whitening does not release damaging free radicals as it whitens. On top of this, PAP+ is formulated with nano hydroxyapatite, the natural hero ingredient that works to remineralize and strengthen your enamel on a molecular level. PAP teeth whitening comes in different forms, including toothpaste, mouthwash, gels, strips, and powders. You have a lot of options to choose from, which makes it easier to integrate this natural method into your routine! You can see that our favorite natural teeth whitening methods all have something in common: hydroxyapatite. It’s the secret (natural) ingredient to a bright white smile, one that actually feels strong and healthy....not sensitive and vulnerable. We hope you feel inspired to celebrate World Smile Day by doing something amazing for your smile...and spreading kindness to all the people who could use it! buy now.
Learn moredoes purple toothpaste work? how our natural whitening toothpaste outshines this tiktok star
Purple toothpaste is all the rage on TikTok. With videos that reveal a bright white smile after just a few seconds of brushing with this purple goo, we can see how it might be enticing.While we admit that these purple toothpaste videos are instantly gratifying, we’re here to remind you to ask yourself: does purple toothpaste work to truly whiten your teeth in a healthy way? Spoiler alert: purple toothpaste yields surface-level results, while our natural whitening toothpaste whitens your teeth at the source to reveal a brighter smile that’s healthier, too. what is purple toothpaste? Purple toothpaste is exactly what it sounds like: toothpaste with purple dye in it. Just like purple shampoo is used to “cancel out” yellow, brassy tones in blonde-dyed hair, purple toothpaste is said to “mask” the yellow tones that sit on the surface of your teeth. How does purple toothpaste work? Well, purple is directly opposite yellow on the color wheel (in other words, purple and yellow are complementary colors). So purple toothpaste neutralizes the yellow tones on your teeth, making them appear whiter. Many companies will claim they’ve developed the perfect cool, purple tint that directly opposes the warm, yellow tones on your teeth. This claim in itself is questionable, as your teeth can have a very different yellow hue compared to the person next to you.Now that we can start to see through the marketing gimmicks of purple toothpaste, let’s investigate what’s actually in it. To achieve its vibrant color, most purple toothpaste formulas use the following dyes. CI17200/D&C Red No. 33: this synthetic dye is derived from petroleum or coal tar sources. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) rates Red No. 33 up to 5 (depending on usage). This rating indicates high safety concerns regarding contamination and use restriction, meaning the FDA has limits surrounding its concentration in cosmetics. CI42090/FD&C Blue No. 1: this synthetic dye is derived from petroleum. With an EWG score of up to 8, Blue No. 1 is close to the worst possible safety rating. As stated on the EWG’s Skin Deep Database, this dye poses more of a risk when used in products around the mouth due to the potential for ingestion and absorption, and it’s linked to moderate to high toxicity concerns for humans. As you can see, the main ingredients in purple toothpaste have been deemed unsafe for use by the EWG, which is an organization dedicated to protecting our individual and environmental health by changing industry standards. Their massive team of scientists, lawyers, data specialists, and policy experts work tirelessly to reform the broken chemical safety and agricultural laws in the US. The EWG believes in putting all the facts on the table, so you can make an informed decision about the products you use.So, now that you know some of the truth behind this popular product, is purple toothpaste really something you want to lather on your teeth? does purple toothpaste work? Purple toothpaste may work to neutralize the yellow tones on the surface of your teeth, but it doesn’t actually whiten your teeth. In fact, the brightening effects of purple toothpaste are very temporary, usually only lasting a few hours after application. Once your saliva recoats your teeth (which is healthy, it will remove the thin purple film on the surface of your teeth and bring you right back to where you started.This is because the purple toothpaste “works” by leaving a thin purple film on the surface of your teeth. Once that film is gone, your teeth are back to their original shade. In the process, purple toothpaste might stain your tongue, lips, and gums, which defeats the purpose in our opinion!So, does purple toothpaste work? Our answer is no, it’s simply instant gratification that requires constant upkeep and doesn’t truly nurture whiter, healthier teeth. how our natural whitening toothpaste outshines purple toothpaste Unlike purple toothpaste, our natural whitening toothpaste works to whiten your teeth by polishing and lifting surface stains and remineralizing your enamel to reveal a brighter, healthier smile. Here’s how we do it. hydroxyapatite whitens at the source: research reveals that hydroxyapatite can whiten your teeth at the source. By penetrating the tooth’s outer surface and remineralizing the enamel from the inside out, hydroxyapatite nurtures a smoother enamel surface while reducing the plaque that causes yellow surface stains. This provides both instant gratification and long-term (healthy) whitening effects while also strengthening your teeth and soothing sensitivity. In other words, it’s natural teeth whitening at its finest! our micro-abrasives polish away surface stains: in addition to hydroxyapatite, our ultra-fine micro abrasives (namely hydrated silica, calcium carbonate, and sodium bicarbonate) aid in whitening by “exfoliating” your teeth and safely polishing away plaque....unlike purple toothpaste that leaves a film on your teeth to counterbalance yellow tones, Our micro-abrasives are premium quality and sourced from natural sandstone and quartz powder. our natural whitening toothpaste contains 98% USA-origin ingredients: why does this matter? Many conventional toothpastes, including purple toothpaste, import very low-quality ingredients from overseas. By sourcing our ingredients domestically from suppliers we know and trust, we’re able to bring you the highest quality ingredients in your natural whitening toothpaste. our formulas are EWG verified: unlike the synthetic dyes in purple toothpaste, our natural whitening toothpaste is EWG VERIFIED™. This means that our ingredients meet the organization's strictest standard for health and safety, bringing you natural teeth whitening that avoids the questionable ingredients on EWG’s “unacceptable” list. In addition to our amazing natural whitening toothpaste, stay tuned as we prepare to roll out new peroxide-free whitening products that outshine purple toothpaste. We’re always excited to bring you natural teeth whitening that nourishes your oral and overall health. buy now.
Learn morewhy you should be excited about a peroxide-free future for teeth whitening
Much like toothpaste, the world of teeth whitening has been dominated by the same ingredients for decades. There’s no doubt that peroxides (hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide) are effective at teeth whitening, but at what cost? Teeth whitening doesn’t have to be a miserable process destined for itching, burning, and sensitivity. It’s about time we update these old methods and get excited about a peroxide-free future for teeth whitening....one where PAP, hydroxyapatite, and other natural ingredients steal the spotlight. the history + reputation teeth whitening with peroxides Did you know that teeth whitening has been around for centuries? From sticks to acid to filing down the enamel, our ancestors really valued a pearly white smile too. In the late 19th century, dentists began using chlorine as a whitening agent. This was a super popular method until the early 20th century when hydrogen peroxide emerged. In 1960, dentist William Klusimer created the first peroxide-based whitening agents that remained popular for about a decade until formulas started getting stronger and stronger....and way harsher on the gums. At this point, people were already looking for ways to make peroxide-based teeth whitening less harsh. As a result, carbamide peroxide was born in 1989. This combination of hydrogen peroxide and urea (a crystalline compound) is less intense on the gum tissue and tends to have fewer negative effects than hydrogen peroxide alone. But because it’s essentially “diluted” hydrogen peroxide, it requires higher concentrations to produce the same whitening effects as hydrogen peroxide. Fast forward to today, and hydrogen peroxide + carbamide peroxide both still dominate the world of teeth whitening. Their reputations are mixed: on the one hand, they’re undeniably effective at bleaching and whitening teeth; on the other hand, they’re still very harsh and cause burning, itching, redness, swelling, and tooth sensitivity for many people. As a result, many countries have restrictions or bans placed on cosmetic products that contain hydrogen peroxide. The EU: Cosmetic products that contain over 6% hydrogen peroxide are banned in the EU. Products containing 0.1% or less can be sold directly to consumers, and those containing 0.1-6% must be sold to dental professionals. Canada: If the cosmetic product contains over 3% hydrogen peroxide, the product must display clear evidence that it’s safe for use and labels with strict cautionary statements. Japan: the use of hydrogen peroxide in cosmetics is strictly banned in Japan. The US: The FDA has stated that most peroxide-containing teeth whitening products fit the description of a cosmetic product, and cosmetics in the US do not require FDA approval. Consequently, peroxide-containing whitening products are not regulated in the US. No matter what country you’re in, many of these peroxide-based products contain warnings that instruct you to ensure you don’t swallow the formula, keep it away from your gums, and only keep it on your teeth for a very specific amount of time (not too long). At Davids, we believe that if your oral care products must carry these warnings, they’re not safe or reliable enough for regular use. To us, this is not oral “care”, so we prefer a more natural approach using PAP teeth whitening and natural whitening toothpaste. our favorite forms of natural teeth whitening From everyday whitening to target treatments, there are some amazing natural alternatives to hydrogen peroxide that can give you a sparkling white smile without all the negative side effects. PAP teeth whitening Phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid (aka PAP, since it’s such a mouthful) is a synthetic organic acid that promotes bleaching. This milder, more natural alternative to peroxide is effective at teeth whitening....without the harsh negative side effects. If you see it being called PAP+, that means it’s PAP formulated with hydroxyapatite, a remineralizing ingredient that’s known to strengthen the enamel and soothe sensitivity (you know, the one found in Davids Sensitive + Whitening Nano-Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste). So, how does PAP teeth whitening avoid the negative side effects of peroxides? Well, peroxides release free radicals (unstable, damaging atoms) as they work their whitening magic. These free radicals can damage your tissues and cells. Remember, the tissues that line your cheeks and gums are very sensitive, so they’re prone to irritation and inflammation. PAP teeth whitening does not release free radicals as it works, so it’s a lot gentler on the mouth. Sounds pretty good to us! Maybe it’s finally time to update an old trend that’s been dominated by peroxides since 1960. natural teeth whitening with Davids Every flavor of our toothpaste contains ingredients that work to polish and whiten your teeth, some of which include: calcium carbonate: this mild abrasive assists in reducing plaque and surface stains as well as whitening and polishing your teeth. Our calcium carbonate comes from a quarry in PA, and our suppliers process it to meet the strictest standards for purity. baking soda: this popular ingredient works to neutralize plaque-forming acids in your mouth while removing surface stains, whitening, and polishing. hydrated silica: this material, which is naturally derived from silica (a material that makes up 12% of the earth’s surface), also works to safely whiten and polish your teeth. While other brands may use low-quality silica imported from around the world, we use the highest quality USA-made hydrated silica with ultra-fine microscopic particles to ensure it’s safe for everyday use on your enamel. sodium cocoyl glutamate: this natural alternative to SLS is derived from coconut materials. It’s used to create a mild and gentle foaming action, allowing our other ingredients to distribute efficiently throughout your oral microbiome. This helps the Davids cleaning and whitening process! On top of these amazing ingredients, our sensitive + whitening nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste contains hydroxyapatite (surprise!), which is another incredible ingredient that works to whiten your teeth while strengthening your enamel. Research shows that hydroxyapatite has the ability to whiten your teeth while simultaneously remineralizing your enamel to relieve sensitivity. This is a refreshing combination, as conventional peroxide-based whitening products can damage your enamel and cause significant sensitivity. There you have it, teeth whitening solutions that nurture your holistic health. buy now.
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