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why you should be excited about a peroxide-free future for teeth whitening

why 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.
pap teeth whitening challenging four famous myths about PAP, a safe method of teeth whitening

challenging four famous myths about PAP, a safe method of teeth whitening

In case you haven’t heard of phthalimido peroxy caproic acid (PAP), it’s a synthetic organic acid that initiates whitening. It’s recently gained popularity as an alternative to peroxide teeth whitening. If you’ve ever tried whitening with peroxide products, it’s no secret that they can burn your gums and make your teeth feel extremely sensitive. Isn’t there a better way to achieve a bright smile? That’s exactly what PAP aims to do. Although it’s a new ingredient that hasn’t been widely tested nor FDA-approved, the few tests that have been conducted on PAP show promising results in terms of safety and effectiveness. But with any new emerging product, there are always naysayers out there. So we’ve decided to sit down and go and challenge four famous rumors about PAP teeth whitening. Keep in mind that these myth-busting discussions are not opinion-based, they’re backed by fact. myth 1: PAP whitening may damage your enamel After just a few minutes of Googling, “does PAP damage your enamel,” you’ll find many (pro-peroxide) companies claiming that PAP etches the enamel or lowers your tooth’s microhardness. However, it’s important to note that the study that reveals enamel etching from PAP involves a PAP whitening product that also contains citric acid, an ingredient that’s known to wear down enamel. The study’s conclusion states, “It would be especially prudent to look at the effect of OTC products not containing citric acid.” On top of this, you’ll find other studies that confirm PAP is safe and does not harm your enamel. “A Radical-Free Approach to Teeth Whitening” concludes, “These laboratory results support the safety and effectiveness of this new PAP formula and its use as an alternative to CP and HP with superior safety and effectiveness.” “A bio-safety tooth-whitening composite gels with novel phthalimide peroxy caproic acid” concludes that PAP had a smaller (non-noticeable) effect on bovine tooth surface hardness than HP. While the science may still be limited, PAP shows promising results in terms of safety and efficacy. Other studies have shown that long-term use of highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide can significantly decrease the surface hardness of your teeth. myth 2: PAP whitening is less effective than hydrogen peroxide When it comes to teeth whitening, we actually want the whitening to...well, whiten! We understand how good it can feel to achieve a bright white smile. So, that poses the question, is PAP as effective at teeth whitening as the famous hydrogen peroxide? Some pro-peroxide companies will say no, but the science says yes! This 2017 study reveals a single use of PAP yields significant initial whitening. On top of this, scientists explain that the effectiveness of teeth whitening products depends on various factors, including the concentration of the whitening agent, the pH of the product, application duration and method (tray vs. strip), additives, and added remineralizing agents (such as nano-hydroxyapatite). Therefore, to say that PAP is less effective than hydrogen peroxide is simply not accurate or supported by science. myth 3: PAP is banned in other countries You might be surprised to find out that hydrogen peroxide is the ingredient that’s banned in other countries. Yes, the most popular, FDA-approved teeth whitening ingredient has several restrictions around the world.  In the EU, over-the-counter teeth whitening products can only contain up to 0.1% hydrogen peroxide. In Japan, hydrogen peroxide is considered unsafe for human use, so it’s banned from all cosmetic products. In Canada, they’ve restricted the concentration, use, and/or manufacturing of hydrogen peroxide. PAP, on the other hand, is not subject to such restrictions. While it is not yet approved by the FDA (they are not quick to act on new ingredients for methods that have been around for a long time, take fluoride as an example), other countries do not feel the need to restrict PAP teeth whitening the way they restrict hydrogen peroxide. myth 4: PAP causes tooth sensitivity Research shows that the opposite is true: PAP does not cause sensitivity, enamel demineralization, or gum irritation. As mentioned above, PAP (alone) has not been shown to cause enamel damage, which would lead to sensitive teeth. Peroxides, on the other hand, are known to release free radicals as they whiten. These free radicals are unstable atoms that can cause damage to your cells and tissue (such as your enamel, gums, and the soft lining of your mouth). This is why you might experience pain, sensitivity, and inflammation after you whiten your teeth with peroxide. It’s also important to note that PAP+ is PAP fortified with nano-hydroxyapatite, which works to strengthen and fortify your enamel. The use of nano-hydroxyapatite in tandem with PAP can further protect your enamel and prevent tooth sensitivity. Speaking of nano-hydroxyapatite, our very own sensitive+whitening hydroxyapatite toothpaste has been shown to remineralize your enamel and relieve tooth sensitivity in as little as two weeks. Our third-party lab results show that it outperformed leading sensitive toothpastes, plugging exposed tubules in the enamel better than its competitors. Give it a try! We recommend it for daily use, especially if you’re planning to try a new PAP whitening routine. buy now.

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