This is my personal review of the Hismile PAP+ Whitening Toothpaste. Based on my personal experience, I will be giving you my subjective thoughts about what it’s like to use it. I”ll also give you the objective facts about all of the alleged benefits of this dentifrice.
Yes, I am a dentist so don’t skip the section about how this toothpaste works because I will be explaining about how it does what it claims to do. Our goal is to help you in deciding whether or not this whitening toothpaste is worth the splurge.
Disclaimer: If you make a purchase after clicking one of our links, we may earn a commission.
Overview
The PAP+ toothpaste by Hismile is a whitening toothpaste that does not cause teeth sensitivity because it uses phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid (PAP) instead of hydrogen peroxide (HP).
It also contains a couple of desensitizers in it which help to reduce any discomfort that may potentially occur during the bleaching process.
Hismile is actually the first company to utilize PAP as a hydrogen peroxide alternative whitening agent. For that alone, we personally give them two thumbs up for their innovation.
Their product design team is on point because the packaging is very aesthetic looking.
Featured benefits
The primary selling point for the Hismile toothpaste is that it can whiten your teeth without using peroxide and with no sensitivity afterwards. That makes it a great daily whitening toothpaste that is hassle and pain-free.
List of benefits:
- Daily whitening & maintenance
- Fluoride-free
- Stain prevention
- Sensitivity-free whitening
- Enamel safe
- Peroxide-free
- No SLS & PEGs
We will explain how all of these benefits work in a later section.
Directions for use
How you use this toothpaste is the same as any other except for the fact that it gets dispensed with an airless pump bottle in lieu of a squeezable tube.
How to use it:
- Wet toothbrush with water.
- Apply 2 pumps to a soft bristle toothbrush.
- Brush for 2 minutes.
- Spit out and do not swallow.
- Store in a cool and dry place.
Product specifications
| Attributes | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Price | $$$ |
| Net weight | 2.2 oz (63 g) |
| Dispensing mechanism | Airless pump bottle |
| Whitening agent | Phthalimidoperoxycaproic Acid |
| Remineralization agent | Hydroxyapatite |
| Desensitizer | Potassium Citrate |
Ingredients
This PAP+ toothpaste from Hismile has a total of 21 ingredients.
Whitening agent:
- Phthalimidoperoxycaproic Acid (PAP) – chemically oxidizes tooth stains.
Remineralization agent:
- Hydroxyapatite (HAP) – prevents tooth decay and repairs enamel.
Desensitizer:
- Potassium Citrate – reduces teeth sensitivity.
Whitening abrasives:
- Hydrated Silica – mild natural whitening abrasive.
Stain and tartar prevention:
- PVP/MA Copolymer – prevents stain molecules from adhering onto teeth.
Flavoring:
- Sorbitol – sweetener.
- Xylitol – artificial sweetener.
- Mint Flavor/Aroma.
- Benzyl Alcohol – flavoring and preservative.
- Sucralose – sweetener.
Others:
- Water
- Glycerin – humectant (prevents drying out).
- Cellulose Gum – thickener and prevents drying out.
- Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate – surfactant/detergent that is more gentle than SLS.
- Cyclodextrin – increases water solubility (solubilizer).
- Xanthan Gum – gives the toothpaste body.
- Caprylyl Glycol – humectant (prevents toothpaste from drying out).
- Sodium Hydroxide – rebalances toothpaste pH.
- Benzoic Acid – pH adjuster and preservative.
- Lecithin – emulsifier.
- Monosodium Citrate – pH adjuster and preservative.
Unboxing
The Hismile PAP+ whitening toothpaste comes in a very aesthetic pink and white rectangular cardboard box. It is very eye-catching, stands out like a sore thumb, and you can’t miss it. Right off the bat, I must say that I really like how it looks design-wise.
The packaging comes with security seals on the top and bottom of the box. There is a plastic tape which lets you know if it has been opened before.
Upon opening the box, you can find the bottle of toothpaste nestled inside. Yes, this toothpaste comes in a bottle and NOT in your traditional tube. There is no protective feature inside the box to help protect the contents.
The toothpaste comes in an airless pump bottle with a pull off cap. You don’t need to twist or screw the cap on and off, you simply pull it off.
I must say that the way the bottle feels and how it looks seems high quality. It reminds me of a cosmetic product rather than a toothpaste based on how it is designed. A lot of foundations and other makeup products will sometimes come in an airless pump bottle like this.
Overall, the Hismile toothpaste looks very sleek and it stores in an upright position.
Last but not least, before you go thinking I’m raving about this… one remark to take note of is that this is a tiny bottle of toothpaste. It is 2.2 oz which is good in that it is within the TSA travel size limitations but that also means you’re not getting a lot of toothpaste…
My experience
Brushing with the Hismile PAP+ whitening toothpaste left my mouth feeling clean and refreshed. Overall, the impression that I got from using it was positive. It didn’t evoke any negative feelings or emotions while I was brushing with it.
| Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
| Color | Clear translucent colorless toothpaste |
| Smell | Slight mint smell |
| Body | Solid with slight strechiness |
| Taste | Refreshing mint with slight sweetness |
| Texture | Non-gritty light fluid |
| Foaminess | Mild foaming |
| Cleanliness | Clean and refreshing |
| Sensitivity | No sensitivity or discomfort |
Color
The color of this toothpaste is clear and translucent so it’s basically colorless. Reason for this is because it doesn’t contain titanium dioxide which gives other toothpastes their characteristically white color.
Smell
It has a very light mint smell so it’s not off-putting nor is it offensive. Very neutral smelling.
Body
It is fairly solid but as it dispense out, it has more of a syrupy caramel texture that is slightly stringy. You can see in the photos below how it has a bit of that mozzarella pulling consistency.
Nonetheless, if we do the upside down toothbrush test, it doesn’t really slump off. There is a little bit of stretching but it doesn’t fall off the bristles.
Taste
This PAP+ whitening toothpaste has a moderate mint taste that is slightly sweet. I can’t quite pinpoint what type of sweetness it is but it’s not overbearing sweet. I would say it is definitely less sweet than sugarless gum.
It has a very pleasant taste overall. The mint is not overpowering or anything, my attention is drawn more towards the sweetness. There is some residual sweetness in the form of a residue that is left on the enamel for the next hour or so. If you lick your teeth you can taste the sweetness.
Texture
When brushing with this Hismile toothpaste, there is practically zero grittiness to it. It felt more like a light fluid that is brushing against my teeth.
Some toothpastes are so gritty that it feels like sandpaper against the enamel. However, this dentifrice had none of that. If i were to make a guess, it probably has a very low RDA (relative dentin abrasiveness) level. In other words, probably very safe for the enamel.
Foaminess
There is very minimal amount of foaming when you brush with it. Most likely reason is that it lacks SLS in the toothpaste. Although it does have a less potent detergent/foaming agent called sodium lauroyl sarcosinate which is related.
Cleanliness
My mouth felt clean and refreshed after I finished brushing with it. It stayed fresh for about the same amount of time as other toothpastes.
Sensitivity
I had absolutely zero discomfort and sensitivity as I was brushing with the Hismile PAP+ toothpaste and also afterwards. There weren’t any changes so to speak.
A lot of whitening products tend to cause sensitivity but this one didn’t have that.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Legitimate bleaching agent
- No teeth sensitivity
- Enamel safe
- Stores upright
- Airless pump bottle
- Fresh & clean feeling
- TSA travel size
- Tastes good
- Aesthetic design
Cons:
- Expensive in overall cost and per oz.
- Small quantity (2.2 oz bottle)
- Unknown whitening concentration
What I like
There is a lot that I like about this PAP+ whitening toothpaste from Hismile, much more than what I dislike about it.
- Beautiful product design. The packaging and overall design of the toothpaste is highly aesthetic. It is definitely very attractive looking and will turn heads. The whole airless pump dispensing mechanism sets it apart from other brands.
- Innovative. Hismile practically invented PAP, which is an alternative to hydrogen peroxide for whitening your teeth. That is why they label it as “peroxide-free”.
- Remineralizing. It uses a fluoride-free formulation that can still remineralize your teeth because it has hydroxyapatite. That means it can prevent and reverse small cavities.
- Anti-sensitivity. There are two anti-sensitivity agents in this toothpaste, potassium citrate and hydroxyapatite. The inclusion of both these ingredients will help minimize the sensitivity side effect from whitening.
What I dislike
My two main qualms with this Hismile PAP+ whitening toothpaste is the cost and the unknown concentration of the whitening agent.
If you compare this price per oz, it is practically the most expensive toothpaste on the market. Below is a couple of examples of how it stacks up in cost vs other whitening toothpastes and some of the trendy hydroxyapatite ones.
The other thing that weighs on me is that the concentration of PAP is unlisted. That is the main whitening agent and how you typically compare the efficacy of them is by their percentage.
As an example, the hydrogen peroxide products will list a percentage.
Most OTC peroxide whitening products are in the single digits percentage wise. The in-office professional solutions can go up to 30-40% in peroxide.
Therefore my question is, how potent is the PAP in this Hismile toothpaste? In this case, I really do appreciate Colgate for being transparent with their whitening concentrations.
Does it work?
The alleged claims of the Hismile PAP+ whitening toothpaste are that it can whiten your teeth without peroxide and also without sensitivity. As it turns out, those claims are in fact true.
Studies which support whitening efficacy of PAP (Phthalimidoperoxycaproic Acid):
- A study by Hismile researchers found that PAP+ was superior to hydrogen peroxide in whitening teeth in terms of color change as well as enamel safety.
- Another study found teeth whitening with PAP was safer and more effective than peroxide based whitening products.
In summary, the PAP+ whitening toothpaste from Hismile does work in making your teeth whiter while avoiding the sensitivity. We will explain the mechanisms, which make this possible below.
How it whitens teeth
PAP whitens teeth by oxidizing the stains on teeth but it does so without using free radicals, which makes it different from hydrogen peroxide.
PAP oxidizes the conjugated double bonds of stain molecules via epoxidation.
- PAP converts the carbon-carbon double bond into an epoxide.
- Epoxides look distinctively like a triangle on molecular formulas.
- End result is that the double bond has been converted to a single bond.
The mechanisms below show the process by how chromogens (stains) get decolorized, aka become whiter in color.
Ultimately, when stains lose double bond it results in a whiter color/shade. Reason being when they lose double bonds, they will absorb less light and reflect more of it. Thus, these dark colored chromogens will become lighter in color.
How peroxide whitens teeth
Hydrogen peroxide oxidizes tooth stains by forming powerful oxidizing free radicals upon decomposition. These free radicals diffuse through the tooth enamel and dentin bleaching away all stains.
These free radicals convert the double conjugated bonds of stain molecules into single bonds.
Essentially, both HP and PAP decolorize stains by oxidizing double bonds of stains. The reactions that they do it through are just slightly different. Although the end result is the same.
How it prevents sensitivity
Teeth sensitivity is a common side effect of teeth whitening. According to the American Dental Association, sensitivity will appear within a few days of starting treatment.
The advantage of using the PAP+ toothpaste is that it contains two desensitizers, which help to reduce discomfort during the bleaching process.
- Hydroxyapatite. Although hydroxyapatite is more commonly known as a fluoride alternative, it can also reduce teeth sensitivity. Molecules of HAP can physically block exposed open dentinal tubules which helps block sensitive stimuli.
- Potassium citrate. Toothpastes with potassium citrate can help depolarize the tooth nerve thus alleviating sensitivity. The desensitizing mechanism is similar to the more commonly found potassium nitrate which is in the sensodyne pronamel toothpastes.
The combination of both of these desensitizing agents is the reason why Hismile can boldly claim that their toothpaste can whiten without causing sensitivity. Essentially what happens is that as the PAP is causing sensitivity, these desensitizers block it and that neutralizes the discomfort.
My critiques
Despite my glowing commentary in my review of this toothpaste, there are two points that I wish to clarify for transparency.
Personal critiques:
- I’m not sure if this “peroxide-free” claim is truly peroxide free.
- I wouldn’t say that PAP+ is safer than hydrogen peroxide because its an unfair comparison.
Is PAP really peroxide free?
Yes, PAP is marketed as being free of peroxide but I’ll leave you to be the judge of that.
My research revealed that phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid is still considered a “peroxide” according to the PubChem classification section. PAP is technically a synthetic peroxy acid.
Did you know that peroxy acids are synthesized by adding sulfuric acid to hydrogen peroxide?Essentially hydrogen peroxide is one of the base ingredients used to make PAP.
So, what is your verdict on whether or not this can be labeled as peroxide-free?
PAP+ vs Hydrogen peroxide safety
With all due respect, comparing PAP+ to hydrogen peroxide alone in terms of enamel safety is an unfair comparison.
PAP+ contains hydroxyapatite which is a remineralization agent that helps to negate the demineralization that occurs during bleaching.
- When this is compared to hydrogen peroxide alone, of course it would show superior enamel safety results.
- However, there are no studies which compare PAP+ to hydrogen peroxide WITH FLUORIDE. The addition of fluoride to peroxide should also negate the demineralization that occurs with peroxide bleaching. After all, the colgate optic white toothpastes do contain peroxide with fluoride.
In my opinion, it is only accurate to compare a bleaching agent plus a remineralization agent to another of the same time. Currently the claims are for a bleaching + remineralization vs a bleaching only. By the way, that is essentially the difference between PAP vs PAP+.
Comparable comparisons:
- PAP vs HP
- PAP+ vs HP with fluoride
If you think we’re wrong, just look at the colgate optic white pro series toothpaste which boldly states on the label that it is “enamel safe.”
Seems nearly identical to the Hismile claims right?
Verdict
Overall I think the Hismile PAP+ whitening toothpaste is a phenomenal product.
- It can whiten your teeth with no to minimal sensitivity.
- It tastes AMAZING.
- Fluoride-free but can still fight cavities.
- Very innovative in that they can whiten without peroxide.
Their marketing is on point because the design looks incredibly aesthetic. This includes the packaging and the airless pump bottle.
If you want to give this toothpaste a try, please feel free to do so because it has my recommendation and my thumb of approval. It is also safe enough to use as a daily whitening product/toothpaste.
And that concludes the review of the Hismile PAP+ whitening toothpaste by a dentist!