If you are considering whitening your teeth, you may have come across peroxide whitening. Using hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide in teeth whitening products is quite popular, including at the dentist’s.
But there’s one more option that most people may not be aware of — PAP teeth whitening. PAP teeth whitening is steadily gaining popularity, but as it is still relatively new, not many use it.
This post takes you through all you need to know about PAP teeth whitening to enable you to determine if it is the right option for your teeth whitening needs.
What is PAP Teeth Whitening?
PAP is an acronym for Phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid — yes, it is a mouthful; that’s why it is commonly simply known as PAP. This synthetic organic peroxy acid is primarily used as a bleaching activator. It is now used as a teeth whitening agent.
PAP is a bleaching activator for whitening discolored molecules on your teeth. Like hydrogen peroxide used in traditional teeth whitening products, PAP also triggers a chemical reaction (oxidation), breaking down stains and making your teeth lighter in shade.
Difference Between PAP and PAP+
While some modern teeth whitening products use PAP, others, like HiSmile use a more advanced version of the same, known as PAP+.
So, what is the difference between PAP and PAP+?
The + symbol in the PAP+ formula refers to the added ingredient nano-hydroxyapatite (Nano-HAp). Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is a naturally occurring calcium apatite found in saliva, teeth, and bones. This ingredient remineralizes teeth by replacing the minerals and strengthening a weak enamel.
The nano-synthetic version of the HAp used by some brands like HiSmile works more efficiently as the particles are smaller in size, therefore, able to penetrate deeper and fill in more areas of the damaged enamel at a much better and faster rate than fluoride.
Moreover, the PAP+ formula from HiSmile includes potassium citrate. This ingredient helps with any sensitivity issues you may have had before whitening your teeth.
In a nutshell, the PAP+ formula is more effective at whitening teeth and does a better job of remineralizing the enamel. It also has additional benefits, including resolving sensitivity, among others.
How Does Pap Teeth Whitening Work?
There are three primary solutions used for teeth whitening: hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, and PAP.
They all work similarly, breaking down stain-causing molecules, hence lightening tooth appearance. This happens during a chemical process called oxidation. The bleaching agents enter through the enamel (protective layer of the tooth), altering and breaking down the molecules that hold the tooth’s color.
While both PAP and the peroxides work similarly, there’s a slight difference.
When whitening using peroxide-based teeth whitening treatments, they release free radicals. These free radicals attack organic molecules hence reducing discoloration. However, they also cause unwanted side effects, which may lead to sensitivity, gum irritation, and demineralization.
PAP similarly reacts with tooth stains. However, it does not release free radicals. This means that while safely breaking down the molecules that cause discoloration, there isn’t any risk of teeth whitening side effects, such as sensitivity, irritation, or pain.
How Much Does PAP Teeth Whitening Cost?
There isn’t a precise PAP teeth whitening cost as it is simply an ingredient used in some teeth whitening products. Each company that uses this ingredient in its teeth whitening solutions has its own line of products with varied pricing plans. Let’s have a look at some of these products in the next section.
What Are The Best Products For PAP Teeth Whitening?
HiSmile popularized PAP teeth whitening in their teeth whitening products that sought to revolutionize cosmetic dentistry. In this sense, most of the products you can purchase on the market with PAP as the main ingredient are from HiSmile.
However, there are other brands that are also using PAP as a key ingredient in their teeth whitening products. These brands have proven reliable and effective, offering their customers a reason to give them a thumbs up.
We have reviewed several PAP teeth whitening products based on their efficacy, safety, and overall rating. Here are the top PAP teeth whitening products for your consideration:
Smile Avenue Whitening Kit
Smile Avenue teeth whitening kit has everything you need to effectively and safely whiten your teeth professionally. The kit comes with:
- Four syringes of whitening gel
- A mouth tray with built-in LEDs
- Charging adaptors
- A shade guide to track progress
- An instructions manual
The main ingredient in Smile Avenue teeth whitening is Phthalimidoperoxycaproic Acid (PAP). This means that you benefit from whiter teeth and have a safe and comfortable experience with no risk of sensitivity or irritation. You only need to use the product for about 16 minutes daily for approximately 10 – 14 days.
Smile Avenue teeth whitening also has hydroxyapatite, a remineralizing agent used in sensitive toothpaste. This ingredient strengthens your enamel during whitening and helps protect your teeth against sensitivity or enamel damage.
HiSmile Teeth Whitening Kit
HiSmile is becoming more popular due to their teeth whitening products with Phthalimidoperoxycaproic Acid (PAP) as the main ingredient. The HiSmile PAP+ teeth whitening kit is a peroxide-free teeth whitening product that gives users the benefits of effective teeth whitening minus the side effects that come with it.
The Australia-based company has created a line of products that are quite effective in teeth whitening without any significant side effects, like sensitivity or irritation.
The company’s teeth whitening kit includes HiSmile’s PAP+ formula, which includes PAP as the key whitening agent, among other ingredients. For instance, it has nano-hydroxyapatite and potassium citrate to help remineralize and desensitize teeth during the whitening procedure.
HiSmile PAP+ teeth whitening kit contains:
- Six teeth whitening pods
- Attachable LED light with timer
- A mouth tray
- A user manual
- A color chart to monitor progress
Using this kit is straightforward, as you simply have to squeeze one of the gel pods into the mouthpiece and then pop it in your mouth for about 10 minutes.
Based on various HiSmile PAP teeth whitening reviews, users can realize up to two shades lighter within the first application.
Hismile PAP+ Whitening Strips
HiSmile’s PAP+ whitening strips function just like other top teeth whitening strips — simply remove the teeth whitening strip from its liner, place the gel side to your teeth, and align it with your gum line.
This product has the same whitening PAP+ whitening formula found in the whitening kit. This means you get the same remineralizing and desensitizing benefits of using the HiSmile product during your whitening process.
However, this whitening strip is somewhat mild compared to the kit. Nevertheless, you will still get the desired results quickly, safely, and conveniently when using the HiSmile PAP teeth whitening strips, even with Invisalign whitening.
Hismile PAP+ Whitening Powder
HiSmile continues to make various products available to the market that contains its signature PAP+ formula, including a PAP teeth whitening pen. The PAP powder teeth whitening is one of their latest products, and its users have overwhelmingly welcomed it.
This product contains all the unique benefits of the PAP+ formula but in powder form.
To use it, all you have to do is apply your regular toothpaste to your toothbrush and dip it in the PAP whitening powder. After that, you simply have to brush your teeth as you usually do.
The HiSmile PAP+ whitening powder has been proven to work, only that it takes a little longer compared to the kit and strips. Moreover, you run the risk of uneven whitening, as it all depends on how you brush your teeth.
PAP Teeth Whitening Before And After Results
PAP teeth whitening products have not been around for long, but they have been used and approved by thousands of people who have given the product a thumbs up. If you are wondering what your new smile looks like after using PAP teeth whitening, we have compiled a few PAP teeth whitening before and after images for your consideration.
PAP Teeth Whitening Honest Customer Reviews
PAP teeth whitening products have received quite an overwhelmingly positive reception since their introduction in the market. Led by HiSmile and Smile Avenue PAP-based whitening products, these whitening solutions average a 4.2-star rating across multiple review platforms.
Here are a few HiSmile PAP teeth whitening reviews from real users to enable you to get a bird’s eye view of the product:
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Fiona Higgins
Is Pap Whitening Safe For Your Teeth?
PAP is still a relatively new addition to teeth whitening. Further research is still being done to determine the safety of the product. However, to date, there are conflicting reports on the safety of this product on your teeth.
According to a study published in the British Dental Journal in 2019, it was seen that PAP-based products had the most damage to teeth compared to other over-the-counter teeth whitening products. The study claims that PAP was responsible for etching patterns in teeth with a reduction in microhardness, which potentially affects the enamel.
On the other hand, brands like HiSmile have taken into consideration these impacts and made their products in a way that users do not have to endure those effects. The nano-hydroxyapatite and potassium citrate found in HiSmile’s PAP+ formula helps to remineralize and desensitize teeth during the whitening procedure.
If considering whitening your teeth but are still unconvinced about using PAP teeth whitening or peroxide-based products, you can check out other solutions, starting with these snap-on smile reviews.
The bottom line is you should only get PAP-based teeth whiteners from proven brands to safeguard your teeth.
FAQ
Phthalimidoperoxycaproic Acid (PAP) is not approved by the FDA. However, this is simply because the FDA does not provide official approval for cosmetic teeth whitening products.
Early research indicates that PAP can potentially damage the tooth structure, including etching the enamel leading to sensitivity issues. However, some brands like HiSmile counter this by adding additional elements to their PAP+ formula to prevent these side effects of teeth whitening.
You can whiten yellow teeth using PAP-based teeth whitening products. PAP works by breaking down stains in your teeth, leading to a lighter, whiter shade.
PAP whitening can have side effects if you use an unproven product. You may experience further enamel etching and sensitivity. However, with some proven whitening products like HiSmile, the PAP formula is highly optimized to have almost zero side effects.
PAP whitening strips work and can make your teeth whiter in just a few days. You only have to abide by the given instructions and use them correctly to see the results.
Sources
- The safety and efficacy of 'over the counter' bleaching products in the UK (2019) Retrived 23rd January, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30787399/
- Phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid (2023) Retrived 23rd January, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Phthalimidoperoxycaproic-acid
- A bio-safety tooth-whitening composite gels with novel phthalimide peroxy caproic acid (2019) Retrived 23rd January, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2452213919300191?via%3Dihub
- The safety and efficacy of 'over the counter' bleaching products in the UK (2019) Retrived 23rd January, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41415-019-0011-6?platform=hootsuite
