There are so many products out there that promise to whiten your teeth and erase years of coffee stained teeth. There are also many whitening ingredients put in these formulas, with the promise of getting your pearly whites in tip-top shape. But how do you know which ingredients are safe, and which ones work? In this article, we're going to cover two active whitening ingredients: hydrogen peroxide and phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid (PAP+). We'll cover their safety, efficacy, and what makes them so good for whitening your teeth.
What Is Phthalimidoperoxycaproic Acid (PAP+)?
Phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid, also known as PAP+, is a synthetic organic peroxy acid that has mainly been used as a bleaching activator. Most often, PAP is found in laundry detergent to help get your clothes as white and bright as possible.PAP+ has also been used for a long time as an ingredient in hair dyes, but scientists recently realized that it could work to lighten teeth as well. After all, both hair and teeth are made of the same organic compounds and proteins, so it makes sense that PAP+ would be effective on both.
You can find PAP+ in some toothpastes and mouthwashes these days, but dentists have also begun using it in their own offices. It's most effective when applied by a professional, but if you're trying to avoid costly dental visits or if you're looking for something that will keep your teeth sparkling, PAP+ can be a viable alternative. PAP has been clinically proven to be just as good as hydrogen peroxide as a teeth whitener. HiSmile is one of those companies that offers PAP+ as their main whitening ingredient in their teeth whitening products.
As a new addition to teeth whitening products, its benefits are not fully understood. There are questions as to whether or not the PAP+ chemical is safe for your teeth. Little is known about PAP+ teeth whitening, but there are some who believe that it's not an effective teeth whitener. A study from 2019 in the British Dental Journal claims that PAP+ teeth whitening caused damage to teeth during the whitening process, including etching in the teeth's surface and reducing microhardness
Hydrogen Peroxide vs PAP+
PAP+ is a relatively new teeth whitening ingredient, but hydrogen peroxide has been used for an incredibly long time. When it comes to PAP+ vs. hydrogen peroxide, it has been found that hydrogen peroxide is the safer and more reliable teeth whitening option. It has the ability to easily pass into the tooth to break down complex molecules and stains, making your teeth brighter and more dazzling.
In addition, hydrogen peroxide also has the ability to destroy a variety of germs. This ensures that your mouth is healthy, which could reduce bad breath and other oral health problems such as gingivitis and tooth decay. Proven to be safe and effective, all while being trusted by dental professionals, hydrogen peroxide is the gold standard active whitening ingredient. Not only does hydrogen peroxide break down cleanly into harmless oxygen and water as it whitens, it also requires a relatively low concentration in order to effectively whiten teeth, unlike some other whitening active ingredients that require much higher concentrations that can cause sensitivity.
