Do you feel like there’s something about summer that makes you want to smile more? From sunset walks to beach vacations, this season is full of warmth, happiness, and smiles. But if your teeth aren’t feeling as bright as the season, it can be tempting to reach for a quick-fix whitening product.
The problem? These popular products (peroxide strips, LED lights, purple toothpaste, and more) might provide instant gratification…but they also introduce long-term risks. From intense tooth sensitivity to gum irritation, these whitening methods aren’t usually worth the trouble.
At Davids, we believe your oral care routine should support your overall health…whitening included! We understand the desire for a bright, white smile, and we want you to feel relieved knowing you can achieve it in a healthier, gentler way. Our whitening toothpaste formulas are powered by incredible ingredients (like hydroxyapatite and hydrated silica)…carefully selected and derived from nature.
To give you a better idea of how these ingredients outperform their conventional counterparts, we’re diving into some of the downsides of traditional whitening products…and contrasting them with the science-backed strength of Davids Hydroxi™ products using nano hydroxyapatite to whiten teeth while strengthening the enamel.
the many faces of conventional whitening
With so many fads and viral social media trends, conventional whitening can show up in a lot of different ways. Here are a few common ones.
hydrogen peroxide
This manufactured chemical was first discovered for teeth whitening back in the 1800s. Since then, it’s become famous for its whitening capabilities when used in whitening strips, gels, pens, toothpaste, mouthwash, and more. What is hydrogen peroxide, anyway? It’s a bleaching and oxidizing agent, meaning it loses electrons through a process called oxidation.
Why does this matter? Well, it means that hydrogen peroxide is prone to reacting with other molecules to generate free radicals, which are harmful, unstable molecules that can damage your cells and lead to chronic issues. This isn’t a substance we feel belongs in your oral care routine.
LED whitening kits
These bright kits are marketed to “enhance” the teeth whitening process by “activating” hydrogen peroxide. We put these words in quotes because they really just increase the temperature of the chemicals to break them down faster and speed up the chemical reactions.
As mentioned above, these chemical reactions often involve harmful molecules called free radicals. While it may speed up the whitening process, it also adds fuel to the fire caused by free radicals. This means that they can cause even more stress to your oral microbiome and worsen the side effects that come with using these chemical whitening agents (more on that in the next section).
purple toothpaste
This silly social media trend involves using purple (artificially dyed) toothpaste to temporarily coat your teeth and give off the illusion of a brighter, whiter smile. This is because yellow and purple are opposite each other on the color wheel. Once you apply a coat of purple toothpaste, it tends to “cancel out” the yellow tones on your tooth’s surface.
But once this synthetic substance rinses off your tooth’s surface (through eating, drinking, or saliva alone), your teeth will go back to their original yellow tone. In other words, purple toothpaste is great for instant gratification…and not much else. As a company that truly cares about your long-term oral health, we don’t recommend this approach.
the problem with these products
We hinted at a few problems above, but let’s dive a little deeper into the problem with hydrogen peroxide products. We’re focusing on hydrogen peroxide because (although purple toothpaste has had its moments in the spotlight), hydrogen peroxide has dominated the whitening space for centuries at this point.
Anyway, hydrogen peroxide is known to cause…
- sensitivity + enamel erosion: hydrogen peroxide doesn’t just lift stains, it can also wear away your enamel over time, especially when you use it regularly. This can lead to increased tooth sensitivity and a thinner, more fragile enamel layer, which ironically makes your teeth appear darker in the long run.
- burning: ever felt an uncomfortable burn during or after whitening? That’s hydrogen peroxide irritating your gums + the soft tissues in your mouth. It can create a burning sensation that lingers well after you finish whitening.
- cell damage: free radicals produced during hydrogen peroxide whitening can damage cells in your mouth. This damage isn’t just uncomfortable....it may have long-term consequences for the tissues and cells in your mouth.
- microbiome disruption: your mouth is home to a complex microbiome that helps defend against bad breath, cavities, and gum disease. Harsh peroxide treatments can disrupt this balance, wiping out good bacteria and allowing harmful ones to thrive.
- dry mouth: peroxide-based whiteners can interfere with your saliva production, leaving your mouth dry and uncomfortable. Saliva is essential for maintaining pH balance, remineralizing enamel, and flushing out food particles.
- gum + tissue irritation: beyond just a little tingling, you might experience redness, inflammation, or even “peeling” of your gum and inner cheeks after using hydrogen peroxide products.
- sustainability concerns: most peroxide whitening kits come packaged with plastic trays, LED devices, or single-use strips, which are usually not recyclable. Plus, these products introduce harmful chemical runoff when you rinse them down the drain.
As a result, many countries (such as Canada, Japan, and the EU) have restrictions or bans placed on cosmetic products that contain hydrogen peroxide.
the Davids approach to whitening
We prefer a whitening strategy that better nurtures your long-term health (and treads lighter on the planet). Here are a few details that make our Hydroxi™ whitening + enamel health toothpaste a smarter, safer alternative to conventional whitening products.
- EWG Verified: our toothpaste meets the strict safety standards of the Environmental Working Group (EWG), meaning every ingredient is thoroughly vetted for health, transparency, and environmental impact.
- scientific research: you could say that apple cider vinegar and lemon juice are “natural whiteners,” but research shows that they erode your enamel over time. Instead of the DIY “natural” approach, you can trust that our products are guided by science and developed alongside dental professionals to deliver real, measurable results.
- zero fluoride, SLS, or peroxides: you won’t find fluoride, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), or hydrogen peroxide in our tube. Why? Because harsh chemicals, irritants, and bleach (that can lead to ulcers, bleeding, and sensitivity) don’t belong in your daily routine. We believe in gentle, effective alternatives that still leave you with a brighter, healthier smile.
- zero artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives: we never use synthetic dyes, artificial sweeteners, or chemical preservatives, which you’ll find in many conventional toothpastes. These ingredients can irritate sensitive tissue, disrupt your oral microbiome, and don’t do your body any favors. Instead, we use naturally derived alternatives that support both your health and peace of mind.
- great tasting natural flavors: our whitening + enamel health toothpastes come in a variety of all natural flavors such as peppermint, mild mint, and orange vanilla.
- thoughtful, intentional ingredients: every ingredient we use is there for a reason…and sourced with care. From our proprietary Hydroxi™ blend to our naturally sourced micro-abrasives, we choose nature-backed ingredients that work in harmony with your mouth and body.
Let’s dive a little deeper into the details of a few of these special ingredients.
get to know some of our gentle whitening ingredients
Hydroxi™
Hydroxi™ is our proprietary blend of rod shaped, SCCS approved, nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) with carefully selected, naturally sourced, and naturally derived ingredients. It’s formulated to deliver superior enamel repair, sensitivity relief, and whitening…while nurturing your long-term oral health.
Unlike other conventional whitening ingredients, Hydroxi™ gently whitens your teeth by filling and smoothing tiny enamel imperfections. Remember when we said that ingredients like hydrogen peroxide can lead to enamel wear and sensitivity? Hydroxi™ works to prevent those things, not cause them. As it works to whiten your teeth, it also works to deliver essential minerals to your enamel to reduce sensitivity and support your long-term enamel health.
Now, we mentioned that Hydroxi™ is our proprietary blend of nano-hydroxyapatite with other food safe ingredients sourced and derived from nature. Let’s take a closer look at some of those ingredients and how they can help you achieve a brighter, healthier smile!
micro abrasives
Our premium micro abrasives are made from natural sandstone and quartz powder. They work to polish away plaque and surface stains from your teeth without the use of harmful chemicals! You know that smooth feeling you get when you touch your tongue to your teeth after a professional dental cleaning? You can get this feeling from brushing with Davids, thanks to our premium micro abrasives (and other “exfoliating” ingredients). They pave the way for nano-hydroxyapatite to swoop in and deliver whitening and remineralization.
baking soda
We use small amounts of baking soda to neutralize harmful acids in your mouth (to stabilize its pH), kill bad bacteria, scrub away plaque buildup, and lift surface stains. Not only do these things lead to brighter, whiter teeth, but they also contribute to gum health and a happy oral microbiome!
hydrated silica
While other companies use low-quality imported silica (with large abrasive particles that can cause damage), we use the highest-quality, USA-made hydrated silica with ultrafine microscopic particles. This means that our hydrated silica is able to safely clean and polish your enamel, removing surface stains without causing any scratches or damage to your enamel.
Fun fact: hydrated silica is naturally derived from silica, which makes up about 12% of the Earth’s surface!
sodium cocoyl glutamate
Derived from coconuts, this is our naturally-derived alternative to sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). The coconut oil goes through an advanced process to produce a non-irritating ingredient that creates a gentle, mild foaming action while helping to “spread around” other ingredients as you brush. Sodium cocoyl glutamate is well-tolerated by those with sensitive teeth and mouths, while SLS (a conventional chemical foaming agent) is known to cause mouth irritation, ulcers, and other allergic reactions.
activated charcoal
Found in our charcoal toothpaste, our activated charcoal is ultra-fine and derived from coconut shells. It gently and safely removes plaque and plush surface stains from your teeth to reveal a whiter smile…naturally! It’s enamel-safe, so you can enjoy peace of mind brushing with it twice daily for a bright smile.
calcium carbonate
Our calcium carbonate comes from a quarry in Pennsylvania and meets the strictest purity standards. This mild abrasive also works to “exfoliate” your teeth to reduce plaque buildup, remove surface stains, and whiten your teeth.
other natural ways to brighten your smile
Beyond using a natural teeth whitening toothpaste like Davids, these simple daily habits can help keep your smile radiant this summer and beyond.
- avoid habits that stain: summer favorites like iced coffee, red wine, cocktails, and dark berries can leave behind surface stains. Enjoy them in moderation, and try to remember to rinse with water or Davids Hydroxi™ fresh breath mouthwash after to help reduce discoloration over time.
- brush often: between BBQs, road trip snacks, and sweet summer treats, it’s important to brush at least twice a day (even better if you use hydroxyapatite toothpaste!). Brushing after every meal (when possible) can help even more by preventing stains from coating your tooth’s surface for too long. Pro tip: if you’ve just had something acidic, wait about 30 minutes to brush to let your saliva “weaken” the effects of the acids on your enamel.
- sip with (reusable) straws: use a straw for colorful, acidic drinks like iced coffee, tea, or juice to help minimize contact between these liquids and your enamel. Bonus points for choosing a reusable straw to reduce plastic waste while protecting your smile!
- stay hydrated: sipping water throughout the day (especially in the summer heat) helps rinse away food particles, debris, and other stain-causing compounds. Staying hydrated also supports healthy saliva production (aka reduces dry mouth), which helps to protect your enamel naturally.
- don't neglect on vacation: many people tend to relax their brushing and other oral care habits during vacation. Pack your Davids travel essentials to make sure you keep up on your routine even when you are away from home.
These simple, mindful habits can help keep your summer smile feeling and looking its best this summer (and beyond).
whiten your smile with peace of mind
At Davids, we think the best kind of whitening is the kind that cares for your whole mouth. Are you ready to start a new whitening routine that’s powered by science and backed by nature? Start by brushing with Hydroxi™, our proprietary blend of nano-hydroxyapatite and other intentional ingredients.