Ad disclosure: Pure Glow gifted me a pack of their PAP teeth whitening strips to try. This post reflects my honest experience and opinions. It also contains an Amazon affiliate link, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through it, at no extra cost to you.
There’s something about becoming a dad that makes you think a little more about looking after yourself. Not always successfully, admittedly. Between work, family life and trying to remember everything Robbie needs for school, I’m not exactly winning any awards for self-care!
Lately, I’ve been trying to make some positive changes, including quitting smoking. Obviously, the biggest motivation is being around for Robbie for as long as possible, but it has also got me thinking about the smaller things I could do to look after myself.
One of those things is my teeth.
I want to set a good example for Robbie when it comes to looking after his own dental health. Brushing twice a day is one thing, but I also fancied giving my smile a bit of a refresh. After all, there’s no point telling your child to look after themselves if you’re not making an effort yourself!
That’s where Pure Glow PAP Teeth Whitening Strips came in. I was sent a 14-day pack to try, so I’ve been putting them to the test to see whether they could brighten my smile without making my already busy life any more complicated.
Here’s how I got on.
What are Pure Glow Teeth Whitening Strips?
Pure Glow’s PAP teeth whitening strips are an at-home whitening treatment designed to help lift stains and leave your teeth looking brighter.
The pack I tried contained 28 strips, enough for a 14-day treatment, with one strip for your upper teeth and another for your lower teeth each day.
What makes them a little different from some traditional whitening products is their use of PAP, a whitening ingredient that doesn’t rely on hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.
The formula also contains hydroxyapatite, a mineral associated with the structure of tooth enamel.
The idea is to give your smile a brighter appearance without making the process complicated. There’s no mixing products together, no fiddly trays to fill and no lengthy routine to squeeze into an already busy day.
You can find the full details on the Pure Glow teeth whitening page.
What is PAP, and how does it work?
I’m not going to pretend I spent my evenings studying dental chemistry before writing this review. I’ve got enough trouble remembering where I put my phone!
But I did want to understand a little more about what I was putting on my teeth.
PAP stands for phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid. It sounds complicated, but the basic idea is fairly straightforward.
Our teeth can develop stains over time from things like tea, coffee, food and smoking. PAP is a whitening ingredient designed to help break down coloured compounds responsible for those stains, helping teeth look brighter.
Traditional peroxide-based whitening products work through a different chemical process and can cause tooth sensitivity for some people. PAP is a peroxide-free alternative, which is one of the reasons it’s used in products aimed at people who want to whiten their teeth at home.
Pure Glow also includes hydroxyapatite in its formula. This is a mineral found naturally in tooth enamel, and it is used in some oral-care products to help support the enamel surface.
The important thing to remember is that peroxide-free doesn’t automatically mean suitable for everyone or guarantee that you’ll never experience sensitivity. Results also depend on your teeth and the type of staining you’re dealing with.
For me, the real question was much simpler: would these strips make a noticeable difference without turning my daily routine into another chore?
My experience using Pure Glow whitening strips
One of the things I appreciated straight away was how simple the strips were to use.
The process is easy to get your head around. You prepare your teeth as directed, peel the strips from their backing, apply them over your upper and lower teeth, leave them in place and then remove them.
I left mine on for around half an hour, following the product guidance for the treatment, before taking them off.
There was no complicated equipment to deal with, and I didn’t have to spend ages working out whether I’d applied the product correctly. Once the strips were on, I could get on with my day.
That’s a definite plus when you’re juggling work and family life. The last thing I need is another elaborate routine to remember!
Did the strips fit my teeth properly?
I did have one small concern when applying them.
One of my bottom teeth sits slightly out of line, which can make getting a good fit with anything designed to sit across your teeth a little more awkward.
Fortunately, the Pure Glow strips were flexible enough for me to work around it. I was able to position the strip over the tooth rather than feeling as though it was being left out of the treatment.
It was a minor issue rather than a major problem, but I thought it was worth mentioning because not everyone’s teeth are perfectly straight.
Did I notice a difference?
Yes, and this was the part I was happiest with.
I was genuinely pleased with the results. My smile looked brighter, and I could see a noticeable difference between my before and after photos.
My own before-and-after results after trying Pure Glow PAP teeth whitening strips.
I’m always a little sceptical of dramatic whitening claims because photographs can be affected by lighting, angles and all sorts of other things. That’s why I’m including my own photos rather than relying on the brand’s promotional images.
I can only speak for my own experience, but I was happy with the change I saw.
The other positive was that I found the process straightforward. I didn’t have to battle with the strips to get them into place, and I was pleased with how easy they were to use.
My 14-day treatment took three weeks!
There’s a small confession to make here.
I was sent a 14-day pack, but it actually took me around three weeks to get through it.
Why? Because I went away for a week and, in a spectacular demonstration of my organisational skills, forgot to pack the whitening strips.
Apparently, remembering everything you need when leaving the house doesn’t automatically become easier just because you’re an adult.
So, my treatment wasn’t quite the uninterrupted 14-day course intended by Pure Glow. Would I have seen even better results if I’d used the strips consistently every day? Possibly, but I can’t say for certain.
What I can say is that I was happy with the brighter smile I achieved, even with my less-than-perfect planning.
The pros and cons
No product is perfect for everyone, so here’s my quick summary of what stood out during my experience.
What I liked:
- Easy to use: The application process was simple and didn’t require lots of preparation.
- Flexible strips: I could get a good fit even with one slightly wonky bottom tooth.
- Noticeable results: I was pleased with the difference in my smile and could show it in my before-and-after photos.
- A straightforward routine: There was no complicated kit or equipment to deal with.
Things worth bearing in mind:
- Consistency matters: I stretched my treatment over three weeks because I forgot to take the strips on holiday.
- Fit may vary: My slightly misaligned tooth wasn’t a major issue, but everyone’s teeth are different.
- Results will vary: My experience was positive, but there’s no guarantee that everyone will see the same change.
Would I recommend Pure Glow teeth whitening strips?
Based on my experience, yes. I was pleased with the results, found the strips easy to apply and appreciated being able to fit them into my routine without too much fuss.
The fact that I managed to forget them for an entire week probably tells you more about my memory than the product itself!
For me, this was about making a small positive change while working on some bigger lifestyle changes. Quitting smoking is the important part, particularly when I think about being there for Robbie as he grows up. A brighter smile is a nice bonus along the way.
I’m also keen to set a good example by looking after my own teeth rather than simply reminding Robbie to look after his.
Of course, whitening strips aren’t a substitute for brushing twice a day, cleaning between your teeth and keeping up with dental check-ups. They’re an extra cosmetic step, not a replacement for the basics.
If you’re interested in trying them yourself, you can find out more about the Pure Glow PAP Teeth Whitening Strips here.
You can also check the product details and availability through Amazon here.
Overall, I’m happy with how my smile turned out. Now I just need to work on remembering to pack everything when we go away!
This review is based on my personal experience with a gifted product. Teeth whitening results vary, and you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If you have concerns about your teeth or gums, speak to your dentist before using a whitening treatment.
More From The Diary Of Dad
