Your smile is one of the things that shapes your first impression, so we completely understand the desire to make sure it shines bright. We also understand that teeth whitening can be overwhelming. With so many options out there, how do you know where to start? And once you start, how do you know how often to continue your routine?
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With so many different types of teeth whitening (with very different active ingredients) the truth is, these questions don’t have simple answers. On one hand, you have conventional peroxide-based teeth whitening products that are so harsh, your teeth and gums can feel sensitive after one single use. On the other hand, you have emerging PAP teeth whitening products that take a more natural approach, whitening and remineralizing without releasing any damaging free radicals in the process.
These two types of whitening have very different care instructions. And within each type, there are so many different modes and concentrations of each product! No wonder there’s so much confusion about how often you should whiten your teeth.
To clear up some confusion, we’re exploring some popular teeth whitening products and how often you should use them. We’re also diving into why these products have such specific guardrails around usage....an important thing to explore for products you might use several times throughout the year!
First, it’s important to discuss why there are so many guardrails around teeth whitening, especially with concentrated gels. The majority of teeth whitening gels are formulated with some mix of hydrogen peroxide and/or carbamide peroxide, chemical bleaching agents that release free radicals (damaging atoms) while they work. While these chemicals are very effective at removing stains, they’re also very harsh. If you’ve ever used them, you’re probably familiar with the sensitivity, burning, itching, redness, and even bleeding that often come with them.
In order to effectively whiten, the peroxide must penetrate your tooth’s surface and treat stains that exist in the dentin layer (the layer that contains tubules that lead to your tooth’s center nerve). This is why most people feel sensitivity when they whiten, even with perfectly healthy teeth. The burning, redness, and bleeding occur when the peroxide comes in contact with your tender gum tissue, which leads to even more pain and discomfort.
These are just a few reasons why teeth whitening with peroxides requires very specific instructions, and we’ve included some general rules of thumb below.
Remember, the frequency of whitening will always depend on the concentration of the whitening agent (in this case, peroxide), the product’s specific instructions, and your dental health/history. We recommend consulting with your dentist before you start a new whitening routine!
PAP teeth whitening is revolutionizing the teeth whitening world. Unlike peroxides, PAP does not release free radicals as it color corrects. On top of this, PAP+ formulas contain hydroxyapatite, a naturally occurring, remineralizing agent that works to strengthen your enamel as it whitens, not damage it like peroxides! This is why many PAP+ whitening products do not cause gum irritation or tooth sensitivity.
Just like peroxide-based whitening products, there are many different types of PAP+ whitening products each with their own set of instructions. We’ve summarized a few below.
Speaking of whitening products that are safe for daily use, let's dive into the whitening powers of Davids nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste.
Always remember, it’s essential to keep up with your regular dental hygiene routine to maintain a bright white smile! You can add our sensitive+whitening hydroxyapatite toothpaste to your daily routine to brighten your smile without worrying about damaging your enamel or causing discomfort in your teeth and gums.
In fact, our hydroxyapatite toothpaste works to reverse and prevent tooth sensitivity, remineralizing your enamel from the inside out while correcting stains at the source. Many of our customers report whiter, less sensitive teeth after just a few days of brushing with our hydroxyapatite toothpaste....why not jumpstart your whitening routine in a healthy way?
If you use social media, you are fully aware of the vanity that we pour into our looks. Some of us are so self-conscious that we use photo filters to smooth our skin and give our appearance an airbrushed look. Therefore, when a recent study performed by Mintel/Greenfield Online revealed that 67% of Americans had whitened their teeth, it came as no surprise.1
Want more information on pap whitening strips? Feel free to contact us.
Look not at me to cast out shame, for I am as guilty as the next and feel that whiter teeth can help instill confidence in a person’s smile.
How did we get here? While many attempted to whiten their teeth using various methods, teeth whitening did not officially hit the consumer market until the s. During the s, peroxide was used as an oral antiseptic gel to treat gingival tissue. When the gel came in contact with the enamel, it was discovered that the surface was whitened after a patient was asked to use an overnight soak of carbamide peroxide for gingival health.3
This discovery eventually led to the use of peroxide gels to achieve whiter teeth. Prior to this, teeth whitening was achieved through various methods:2-4
The active ingredient in most teeth-whitening agents today is peroxide, which is delivered as either hydrogen peroxide (HP) or carbamide peroxide (CP). Both agents work to oxidize the chromogens ‒ or darker shades of the tooth ‒ by relying on free radicals to produce a lighter shade.5 Carbamide peroxide is an adduct of hydrogen peroxide; in other words, it is a stable complex that breaks down in contact with water to release hydrogen peroxide.5 Therefore, almost all whitening agents contain hydrogen peroxide.
These agents can be found in multiple delivery methods, including in-office whitening, take-home custom trays, whitening strips, prefabricated trays, pens, and pastes. Unfortunately, peroxide-based whitening agents have been known to create reversible pulpitis or tooth sensitivity.7
High concentrations of hydrogen peroxide whitening agents can also lead to organic matrix damage within the tooth.7 Similarly, high doses of carbamide peroxide can lead to surface enamel damage.7 The oral mucosa is also subject to irritation or burns when in contact with peroxide-based agents. Risks increase with the concentration of the administered dose.
A newer agent, phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid (PAP), is making its debut and has also shown positive results in whitening tooth enamel. PAP is a non-peroxide-based solution that has shown to be just as effective as peroxide-based products.6 This organic peroxy acid is used as a bleaching activator in laundry detergents, and thus the idea to use it as a teeth whitener was born.
However, some studies initially reported that PAP could equally cause enamel surface damage. After this conclusion, nano-hydroxyapatite was added to the formula to prevent mineral loss, resulting in zero nanoscale roughness of the enamel; thus, PAP+ was born. During the oxidation process of whitening, no reactive oxygen species (ROS) or free radicals were formed when using PAP+, which is important as free radicals are believed to be the causative factor of sensitivity during conventional HP and CP whitening.8
The new formula of PAP+ also consists of potassium citrate to assist in desensitizing exposed dentin. Potassium citrate also serves to maintain the pH level of the oral mucosa. PAP+ is a quick-acting whitening formula that does not irritate the surrounding soft tissues. Accordingly, barriers are not required when used in an office setting.
While both peroxide and PAP+ are effective in whitening teeth, some studies reveal that PAP+ is superior to HP. PAP+ has been shown to alter a range of chromogens, including polyphenols. Polyphenols are organic molecules found in food and beverages such as red wine and tea. They can be oxidized by phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid to quinones and then potentially undergo further rearrangement reactions.8
Studies also conclude that PAP+ does not alter the integrity of the enamel, while peroxide-based agents reduce the microhardness of the enamel.8 PAP+ works quickly and has been proven to enhance the enamel color by eight shades in just six 10-minute treatments.8 Considering the relative newness of this agent, ongoing studies may be necessary to validate its safety and effectiveness further.
The global teeth whitening market is expected to reach $10.6 billion by .1 Dental professionals should serve as a guide to this coveted cosmetic procedure. It is essential that we educate the patient on obtaining optimal oral health prior to any teeth whitening. Through education, we serve to provide oral hygiene instruction that the patients can use continually to improve their oral health. Improving one’s oral health may be used as an incentive to eventually whiten the teeth.
Dental professionals should also discuss the various methods of teeth whitening and help the patient choose the best method. Considering many methods are readily available over the counter dental professionals should intervene to guide patients to the correct choice and further monitor their dental health while whitening.
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