Toothpaste tubes typically have color-coded bars, which some people believe point to their ingredients, such as green indicating all-natural toothpaste. However, this is entirely false, with the bars actually pointing to the manufacturing process.

Taking care of your teeth is important for everyone. So, it’s no surprise that you’re confronted with dozens of toothpastes options when you walk down the oral health aisle.

When choosing a toothpaste, most people consider the ingredients, expiration date, the health benefits, and sometimes the flavor.

Whitening! Anticavity! Tartar control! Fresh breath! These are all common phrases you’ll see on a tube of toothpaste.

There’s 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’s ingredients. Nonetheless, like a lot of stuff floating around on the internet, the claim about these color codes is false.

The color on the bottom of your toothpaste typically means nothing about the ingredients, and you shouldn’t use it to help you decide on a toothpaste.

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:

  • green: all natural
  • blue: natural plus medicine
  • red: natural and chemical
  • black: pure chemical

Unsurprisingly, this tidbit of internet wisdom is totally false.

The colored rectangle has nothing to do with the toothpaste’s formulation. It’s simply a mark made during the manufacturing process. Light beam sensors read the marks, which notify machines where the packaging should be cut, folded, or sealed.

These marks do come in many colors and they’re 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.

If you really want to know what’s in your toothpaste, you can always read the ingredients printed on the toothpaste box.

Most toothpastes contain the following ingredients.

  • Humectant. This is used to prevent hardening of the toothpaste after opening. Examples include glycerol and sorbitol.
  • A solid abrasive. This is used for removing food debris and polishing teeth. Examples include calcium carbonate and silica.
  • A binding material or thickening agent. This is used to stabilize the toothpaste and prevent separation. Examples include:
    • carboxymethyl cellulose
    • carrageenans
    • xanthan gum
  • A flavoring agent. This is used for taste and won’t give you cavities. Examples include spearmint, peppermint, anise, bubblegum, or cinnamon.
  • Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral known for strengthening enamel and preventing cavities. It may be listed as sodium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, or sodium stannous fluoride.

The color on the bottom of the tube doesn’t tell you which of the above ingredients is in the toothpaste, or whether it’s considered “natural” or “chemical.”

If you’re worried about what’s 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’s been tested and proven to be safe and effective for your teeth and overall health.

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

Whitening

Whitening toothpaste contains either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide for stain removal and a whitening effect.

Sensitive teeth

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.

Tartar or plaque control

Tartar 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’t contain triclosan.

Natural

Natural and herbal toothpastes are often marketed as avoiding fluoride and sodium lauryl sulfate. They may contain baking soda, aloe, activated charcoal, essential oils, and other plant extracts. However, their health claims have not been entirely proven.

The color on the bottom of your toothpaste typically means nothing about the ingredients, and you shouldn’t use it to help you decide on a toothpaste.

When choosing a toothpaste, look for an ADA seal of acceptance, an unexpired product, and your favorite flavor.

Talk with a dentist if you still have questions or concerns about the toothpaste you should use.