The ingredients behind your favorite quip Toothpaste

At quip, we believe only the best ingredients should earn their place in our formula. That's why we focus on ingredients supported by research and selected for a specific purpose. Whether you're looking for cavity protection, sensitivity relief, or a brighter smile, understanding what's in your oral care products can help you make informed decisions.

Here's a closer look at three ingredients you'll find across the quip portfolio: fluoride, nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA), and PAP.

Fluoride: The Most Proven Ingredient for Cavity Prevention

If you've spent any time online lately, you've probably seen debates about fluoride.

What does the science say? Fluoride remains the most extensively studied ingredient available for preventing tooth decay. Decades of clinical research have shown that fluoride toothpaste helps reduce cavities by strengthening enamel and supporting remineralization, the natural repair process that replaces minerals lost during everyday acid attacks from food, beverages, and oral bacteria. The American Dental Association continues to recommend fluoride toothpaste as a safe and effective tool for preventing cavities.¹

When fluoride interacts with enamel, it helps form fluorapatite, a mineral structure that is more resistant to acid attack than natural enamel alone. This increased acid resistance helps protect teeth from future demineralization and decay.

For patients at higher risk of cavities, fluoride remains the gold standard because of its long history of safety, effectiveness, and clinical support.

Nano-Hydroxyapatite (nHA): Inspired by the Building Blocks of Teeth

Hydroxyapatite is the primary mineral that makes up tooth enamel. Nano-hydroxyapatite, often shortened to nHA, is a smaller form of that same mineral designed to interact more closely with the tooth surface.

Research suggests that nHA helps support enamel remineralization and reduces tooth sensitivity by depositing minerals into microscopic surface defects and exposed dentin tubules.² When these tubules become blocked, the fluid movement that triggers sensitivity is reduced.

Because nHA closely resembles the mineral naturally found in teeth, it has gained significant interest as a biomimetic ingredient in oral care products. Research also suggests it may help smooth enamel surfaces, which are then more resistant to plaque and stain adherence.²

The way we select what goes into our products is entirely purposeful, choosing active ingredients backed by clinical data but the exact dosage matters just as much. For instance, traditional fluoride is heavily regulated, while newer powerhouse ingredients like hydroxyapatite (HAp) are not monographed yet, leading competitors to hide their percentages or market bloated 10+% concentrations. In reality, research shows that a precise 5% nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) concentration is the optimal threshold for true enamel remineralization. Exceeding this limit causes particle aggregation, meaning the ingredients clump together and can no longer integrate into your teeth.

Hydroxyapatite comes in two forms: microHAp, which forms a protective outer coating, and nano-HA, which features smaller particles that penetrate deeply to bind to and repair enamel. While some brands overcharge for counterproductive over-concentrations and others leave you in the dark with generic labels, quip partners with trusted, established suppliers to deliver exactly what works. The quip formula intentionally uses a precise, scientifically validated 5% nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) concentration to safely rebuild your teeth without marketing fluff or unnecessary markups.

PAP: A Different Approach to Whitening

Most whitening products rely on hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to break down stain molecules. PAP, short for phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid, takes a different approach.

Unlike peroxide-based whitening agents, PAP works by oxidizing stain-causing molecules without generating free radicals. Researchers believe free radicals contribute to many of the side effects commonly associated with traditional whitening, including tooth sensitivity and irritation.⁴

Recent laboratory studies have shown that PAP can effectively lighten  tooth color while causing fewer changes to enamel surface morphology and microhardness than high-concentration peroxide whitening systems.⁵

While peroxide remains the most established whitening ingredient in dentistry, PAP offers an alternative option for people looking for a whitening experience that may be gentler on teeth.

Formulated with Intentional Ingredients

Why Ingredient Selection Matters

When developing oral care products, choosing the right active ingredient is only part of the equation. The quality, formula, and interaction with texture and flavor all influence performance.

That's why quip offers different options designed to support different oral health goals and personal preferences. Whether you prefer fluoride for its proven cavity protection, nano-hydroxyapatite for its biomimetic approach to enamel support, or PAP for peroxide-free whitening, our goal is to provide transparent choices backed by science. 

And we aren't standing still. We are continuing to actively innovate and formulate in the toothpaste category, pushing the boundaries of ingredient science to deliver even cleaner, smarter solutions for your daily routine.

As always, talk with your dentist about which oral care products are best suited for your individual needs.

¹American Dental Association. New Studies Reaffirm Fluoride's Safety and Benefits.
² Pushpalatha C, Gayathri VS, Sowmya SV, et al. Nanohydroxyapatite in dentistry: A comprehensive review. Saudi Dental Journal. 2023.
³ Amaechi BT et al. Current evidence on nano-hydroxyapatite and remineralization.
⁴ Pascolutti M, de Oliveira D. A Radical-Free Approach to Teeth Whitening. Dentistry Journal. 2021.
⁵ Llena C, Saenz L, Ghilotti J, et al. Phthalimidoperoxycaproic Acid (PAP) Versus Peroxides and Impact on Dental Enamel After Whitening Treatment. Journal of Functional Biomaterials. 2026.