Toothpaste Color Code: A Debunked Myth

Overview

Taking care of your teeth is crucial for everyone. When choosing a toothpaste, most people consider the ingredients, expiration date, health benefits, and sometimes the flavor. With so many options available, it’s no surprise that you’re confronted with dozens of toothpaste options when you walk down the oral health aisle.

The Myth of the Color Code

A fake consumer tip about the color codes of toothpaste tubes has been circulating the internet for quite some time. According to the tip, you should be paying close attention to the bottom of your toothpaste tubes. There’s a small colored square at the bottom, and the color, be it black, blue, red, or green, allegedly reveals the ingredients of the toothpaste. However, this tidbit of internet wisdom is totally false.

The Truth About the Color Code

The colored rectangle actually has nothing to do with the toothpaste’s formulation. It’s simply a mark made during the manufacturing process. The marks are read by light beam sensors, which notify machines where the packaging should be cut, folded, or sealed. These marks do come in many colors and are not limited to green, blue, red, and black. Different colors are used on different types of packaging or with different sensors and machines. In other words, all the colors mean exactly the same thing.

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What’s Really in Your Toothpaste?

Most toothpastes contain the following ingredients:

* A humectant material to prevent hardening of the toothpaste after opening, such as glycerin or sorbitol.
* A solid abrasive for removing food debris and polishing teeth, such as silica or calcium carbonate.
* A binding material, or thickening agent, to stabilize the toothpaste and prevent separation, such as carboxymethyl cellulose, carrageenans, or xanthan gum.
* A sweetener – that won’t give you cavities – for taste, such as sodium saccharin or acesulfame K.
* A flavoring agent, like spearmint, peppermint, anise, bubblegum, or cinnamon. The flavor doesn’t contain sugar.
* A surfactant to help the toothpaste foam up and to emulsify the flavoring agents, such as sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium N-lauroyl sarcosinate.
* Fluoride, which is a naturally occurring mineral known for its ability to strengthen enamel and prevent cavities. Fluoride may be listed as sodium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, or stannous fluoride.

Special Ingredients

Along with the above ingredients, some toothpastes include special ingredients for different reasons:

* Whitening toothpaste contains either calcium peroxide or hydrogen peroxide for stain removal and a whitening effect.
* Toothpaste for sensitive teeth includes a desensitizing agent, such as potassium nitrate or strontium chloride. If you’ve ever taken a sip of hot coffee or a bite of ice cream and felt a sharp pain, this type of toothpaste might be right for you.
* Children’s toothpaste contains less fluoride than toothpastes for adults due to the risk of accidental ingestion. Excess fluoride can damage tooth enamel and cause dental fluorosis.
* Tartar or plaque control toothpaste may include zinc citrate or triclosan. Toothpaste containing triclosan has been shown in one review to reduce plaque, gingivitis, bleeding gums, and tooth decay when compared to toothpaste that doesn’t contain triclosan.
* Smokers’ toothpastes have stronger abrasives to remove stains caused by smoking.
* Fluoride-free toothpastes will help clean your teeth, but won’t protect them against decay compared with toothpaste that has fluoride.
* Natural toothpastes may contain baking soda, aloe, activated charcoal, essential oils, and other plant extracts. Their health claims usually haven’t been clinically proven.

Conclusion

Everything is a chemical – even natural ingredients. You can completely ignore the color code on the bottom of the tube. It means nothing about the toothpaste’s contents. When choosing a toothpaste, look for an ADA seal of acceptance, an unexpired product, and your favorite flavor. Toothpastes containing fluoride are the most effective for preventing cavities. Talk to a dentist if you still have questions or concerns.

FAQs

Q: What does the color code on the bottom of my toothpaste tube mean?
A: The color code on the bottom of your toothpaste tube means nothing about the toothpaste’s ingredients. It’s simply a mark made during the manufacturing process.

Q: What ingredients are typically found in toothpaste?
A: Most toothpastes contain humectants, abrasives, binding materials, sweeteners, flavoring agents, surfactants, and fluoride.

Q: What’s the difference between whitening toothpaste and regular toothpaste?
A: Whitening toothpaste contains either calcium peroxide or hydrogen peroxide for stain removal and a whitening effect.

Q: What’s the difference between children’s toothpaste and adult toothpaste?
A: Children’s toothpaste contains less fluoride than toothpastes for adults due to the risk of accidental ingestion.

Q: What’s the difference between fluoride-free toothpaste and regular toothpaste?
A: Fluoride-free toothpaste will help clean your teeth, but won’t protect them against decay compared with toothpaste that has fluoride.