Dazzlingly white teeth seem very normal nowadays. You just have to turn on the TV, and everyone is flaunting a radiant white smile. Influencers on TikTok and Instagram also claim that white teeth are within reach. Just treat your teeth with charcoal, coconut oil, or purple toothpaste. But is that true? Do your teeth really get whiter, or is it a sales trick? And what risks are associated with it? We asked Professor of Oral Function and Restorative Dentistry Bas Loomans.
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‘Your teeth consist of dentin and enamel. Dentin is yellow, but the outer enamel makes it look whiter. Over time, the enamel becomes thinner, making the tooth look yellower. This is a natural process. In addition, enamel discolors due to deposits from, for example, tea, coffee, and smoking.’
‘External discoloration of the enamel from deposits can be removed by your dentist by polishing your teeth with a special polishing paste. Discoloration inside the tooth can be lightened from the inside by bleaching. The only effective agent for this is hydrogen peroxide. Enamel is very hard but somewhat porous at the same time. Hydrogen peroxide penetrates the enamel and breaks down the pigments that make your teeth yellow or dark, making the tooth whiter. As a dentist, I am not in favor of making a perfectly good set of teeth even whiter. But if, for example, you have two yellower teeth, you can ensure that they match the rest. There is a clear patient request in that case.’
‘Such products only create a layer on the outside of the teeth, making your teeth temporarily look whiter. Nothing happens to the teeth themselves; it only provides a short-term visual effect. Purple toothpaste contains the color blue, making your teeth appear lighter. That's why 'bluing' was used in the past for white laundry. Coconut oil only creates a greasy layer. Teeth whitening kits with a blue light also do not work. Many manufacturers claim various things, but unfortunately, these claims are often untrue.’
‘Hydrogen peroxide may no longer be sold in concentrations higher than >0.1%. Only a dental team may use higher concentrations. PAP (phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid) is seen as a replacement for hydrogen peroxide, but unfortunately, it has no bleaching effect on the teeth. Strips with PAP only provide a layer that creates a temporary visual effect. Nothing happens to the teeth themselves, and that layer is gone after two days.’
‘The products that only provide a temporary optical effect are usually not harmful. But you do need to be careful with charcoal. It acts as a sort of abrasive and removes the deposits from your teeth but can also damage your enamel. Furthermore, some products sold online contain peroxide, such as Crest Whitening Strips. If you buy online, you don't know the concentration of peroxide and don't get information about the acidity of the bleaching agent. The strips may be too acidic and damage your enamel. In addition, as dentists, we know what is in your mouth, we can answer whether whitening is meaningful and know the best approach. Which tooth is changing color and which is not? Where is a filling or a crown? If you do this yourself, you can end up with a mix of colors. And then you are further away from your goal and it is much more expensive. So, for whiter teeth, always contact your dentist or dental hygienist.’
So many products out there promise to whiten your teeth and erase years of coffee-stained smiles. Each product boasts different whitening ingredients, promising to get your pearly whites in tip-top shape. But how do you know which ingredients are safe and which ones actually work? In this post, we will cover two popular whitening ingredients: hydrogen peroxide and phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid (PAP). We'll cover their safety and efficacy and help you find out which is best for you!
Throughout history, people have tried various methods to whiten their teeth. Ancient Egyptians, for example, used a mixture of ground pumice stone and vinegar to scrub their teeth. While in ancient Rome, people used urine because they believed its ammonia content could help whiten teeth. Fast forward to today, there are three chemical whitening ingredients that you can find in nearly every teeth-whitening product available in the market:
All three whitening agents do their magic through oxidizing reactions. They penetrate the tooth enamel and break down the stained molecules into smaller particles. The smaller the molecules, the lighter the tooth shade.
Since the 20th Century, most teeth whitening products used professionally or found OTC is based on peroxide as the whitening agent. Peroxides are released from the breakdown reaction of hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide.
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In fact, carbamide peroxide is a compound derived from hydrogen peroxide. It’s a stable mixture that releases hydrogen peroxide and urea when it comes into contact with water. Because of this, it’s safe to say that most teeth-whitening products rely on hydrogen peroxide in some form.
On the other hand, PAP is a non-peroxide, 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 recently, scientists realized that it could also work to lighten teeth. After all, teeth and hair are both made of the same organic compounds and proteins.
As a new addition to teeth whitening products, PAP’s benefits are not fully understood. There are questions about whether the PAP chemical is safe for your teeth. With little known about PAP teeth whitening until now, some clinical trials believed that it's as effective as hydrogen peroxide in teeth whitening.
Although this may be true, a recent study in proved that hydrogen peroxide delivered the most significant color difference compared to other whitening agents, including PAP. Moreover, it removed superficial stains and lightened the natural enamel color.
Moreover, a study from in the British Dental Journal claims that PAP caused damage to the enamel during the whitening process, including etching in the teeth’s surface and reducing microhardness. To overcome this, some manufacturers added Hydroxyapatite (HAp), a natural compound found in bones, saliva, and teeth, to PAP, producing what is now known as “PAP+.” This addition remineralizes teeth by replacing minerals and strengthening etched enamel to reduce sensitivity.
Of course, some studies suggest that hydrogen peroxide may lead to tooth sensitivity and irritation. However, recent advancements have addressed these concerns. GLO's patented illuminating heat technology and superior whitening ingredients allow lower concentrations of whitening gel to work in a shorter time frame. This innovative approach eliminates the typical causes of sensitivity associated with teeth whitening and delivers impressive whitening results.
To sum up, hydrogen peroxide has been around longer than PAP in the whitening space, is clinically proven to whiten your teeth safely, and is widely trusted by dentists in their offices. Additionally, it breaks down into water and oxygen while working in your mouth, two very safe compounds to consume!
To get the best results, you need to use products that are FDA-registered, proven to work, and will not damage your enamel or compromise your health. At GLO Science, our safe teeth whitening products were developed by a practicing dentist using clinically proven, safe, and effective ingredients with your best interest in mind. He knows how important it is to have a brilliant smile, but keeping your mouth and body healthy is equally important.
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