Taking care of your teeth is important for everyone. So, it\u2019s no surprise that you\u2019re confronted with dozens of toothpastes options when you walk down the oral health aisle.<\/p>\n
When choosing a toothpaste, most people consider the ingredients, expiration date, the health benefits, and sometimes the flavor.<\/p>\n
Whitening! Anticavity! Tartar control! Fresh breath! These are all common phrases you\u2019ll see on a tube of toothpaste.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s also a colored bar on the bottom of toothpaste tubes. Some claim that the color of this bar means a great deal about the toothpaste\u2019s ingredients. Nonetheless, like a lot of stuff floating around on the internet, the claim about these color codes is completely false.<\/p>\n
The color on the bottom of your toothpaste means absolutely nothing about the ingredients, and you shouldn\u2019t use it to help you decide on a toothpaste.<\/p>\n
What the toothpaste color codes supposedly mean
\nA 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\u2019s a small colored square at the bottom and the color, be it black, blue, red, or green, allegedly reveals the ingredients of the toothpaste:<\/p>\n
green: all natural
\nblue: natural plus medicine
\nred: natural and chemical
\nblack: pure chemical
\nUnsurprisingly, this tidbit of internet wisdom is totally false.<\/p>\n
The colored rectangle actually has nothing to do with the toothpaste\u2019s formulation. It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
These marks do come in many colors and they\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n
If you really want to know what\u2019s in your toothpaste, you can always read the ingredients printed on the toothpaste box.<\/p>\n
Toothpaste ingredients
\nMost toothpastes contain the following ingredients.<\/p>\n
A humectant material to prevent hardening of the toothpaste after opening, such as:<\/p>\n
glycerol
\nxylitol
\nsorbitol
\nA solid abrasive for removing food debris and polishing teeth, such as:<\/p>\n
calcium carbonate
\nsilica
\nA binding material, or thickening agent, to stabilize the toothpaste and prevent separation, such as:<\/p>\n
carboxymethyl cellulose
\ncarrageenans
\nxanthan gum
\nA sweetener \u2014 that won\u2019t give you cavities \u2014 for taste, such as:<\/p>\n
sodium saccharin
\nacesulfame K
\nA flavoring agent, like spearmint, peppermint, anise, bubblegum, or cinnamon. The flavor doesn\u2019t contain sugar.<\/p>\n
A surfactant to help the toothpaste foam up and to emulsify the flavoring agents. Examples include:<\/p>\n
sodium lauryl sulfate
\nsodium N\u2010lauroyl sarcosinate
\nFluoride, 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.<\/p>\n
The color on the bottom of the tube doesn\u2019t tell you which of the above ingredients is in the toothpaste, or whether it\u2019s considered \u201cnatural\u201d or \u201cchemical.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even if the theory about color codes turned out to be true, it wouldn\u2019t really make sense. Everything \u2013 including natural ingredients \u2013 is made out of chemicals, and the word \u201cmedicine\u201d is too vague to really mean anything.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re worried about what\u2019s in your toothpaste, read the ingredients printed right on the tube. If in doubt, choose a toothpaste with an American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. The ADA seal means that it\u2019s been tested and proven to be safe and effective for your teeth and overall health.<\/p>\n
Types of toothpaste
\nAlong with the above ingredients, some toothpastes include special ingredients for different reasons.<\/p>\n
Whitening
\nWhitening toothpaste contains either calcium peroxide or hydrogen peroxide for stain removal and a whitening effect.<\/p>\n
Sensitive teeth
\nToothpaste for sensitive teeth includes a desensitizing agent, such as potassium nitrate or strontium chloride. If you\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n
Toothpaste for kids
\nChildren\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Tartar or plaque control
\nTartar is hardened plaque. Toothpaste advertised for tartar control 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\u2019t contain triclosan.<\/p>\n
Smoking
\n\u201cSmokers\u201d toothpastes have stronger abrasives to remove stains caused by smoking.<\/p>\n
Fluoride-free
\nDespite strong evidence showing the importance of fluoride for oral health, some consumers are choosing fluoride-free toothpastes. This type of toothpaste will help clean your teeth, but won\u2019t protect them against decay compared with toothpaste that has fluoride.<\/p>\n
Natural
\nCompanies such as Tom\u2019s of Maine make natural and herbal toothpastes, many of which avoid fluoride and sodium lauryl sulfate. They may contain baking soda, aloe, activated charcoal, essential oils, and other plant extracts. Their health claims usually haven\u2019t been clinically proven.<\/p>\n
You can also get prescription toothpaste from your dentist for toothpaste that contains even higher amounts of fluoride.<\/p>\n
Takeaway
\nEverything is a chemical \u2014 even natural ingredients. You can completely ignore the color code on the bottom of the tube. It means nothing about the toothpaste\u2019s contents.<\/p>\n
When choosing a toothpaste, look for an ADA seal of acceptance, an unexpired product, and your favorite flavor.<\/p>\n
Toothpastes containing fluoride are the most effective for preventing cavities. Talk to a dentist if you still have questions or concerns.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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