Purple Toothpaste: All You Need to Know

In the colourful world of oral hygiene, a new sensation has been making waves: purple toothpaste. The trend has attracted both scepticism and curiosity, but what's the real deal with purple toothpaste? Is it worth incorporating into your daily oral care routine? Let's dive into the intricacies of this vibrant dental product and unravel the truth behind its claims.

Article summary

  • Purple toothpaste is mainly just regular toothpaste with a dye

  • It’s not harmful to your teeth

  • It will not whiten your teeth significantly

  • It may provide very short-term brightness to your teeth

  • It is primarily seen as a marketing gimmick without solid scientific proof of any benefits

hismile v34 Colour Corrector is one of the most popular purple whitening serums on the market. It’s not a toothpaste, so it needs to be used alongside your regular toothpaste for it to work. Get it on Amazon.

Purple toothpaste is precisely what its name suggests: a toothpaste that has been dyed to take on a rich, purple hue. The theory behind this innovation is rooted in the concept of colour theory, where purple is the opposite of yellow on the colour wheel.

This colour choice is aimed to visually 'cancel out' the yellow of your teeth and present an illusion of whiter teeth while brushing.

How Purple Differs from Regular Toothpaste

Apart from its distinctive colour, there's essentially no difference between purple toothpaste and its more traditional counterparts. The core ingredients remain the same if you peel away the aesthetic appeal. Thus, it can still clean teeth like any other toothpaste on the market.

However, it's crucial to note that not all products marketed with teeth whitening benefits are toothpaste. Some might be serums you must use alongside your regular toothpaste, so always check the label before purchasing.

The Effect of Purple Toothpaste on Teeth Whitening

It's essential to understand that purple toothpaste doesn't actually whiten teeth.

When brushing your teeth with purple toothpaste, the dark purple colour contrasts with the yellow, making your teeth appear whiter in the mirror and in marketing visuals.

Pastes and gels also cause temporary dehydration of your teeth, which makes your teeth appear whiter for a short time.

Once you've rinsed your mouth and allowed saliva to moisten your teeth again, they'll return to their original shade. This effect is purely temporary and purely visual; there are no enduring benefits to tooth colour.

Despite its widespread marketing, there's no scientific evidence backing the effectiveness of purple toothpaste in whitening teeth or providing any other additional benefits. The absence of peer-reviewed studies on the subject suggests that the teeth-whitening claims are primarily based on visual trickery rather than actual results.

Test it for yourself: get some kitchen roll and cover your teeth for 10 minutes. You will notice that your dried teeth appear much whiter than before.

Is Purple Toothpaste Safe?

Yes, purple toothpaste is completely safe to use. The safety concerns regarding purple toothpaste are no different from any other toothpaste. Broadly, these products do not contain harmful ingredients.

No identified risks or side effects have been explicitly associated with using purple toothpaste.

You don't need to worry if you buy purple toothpaste from reputable shops and websites. It’s usually just regular toothpaste/serum-coloured purple.

Ensure you read the product label you are buying and use it properly. Many purple toothpastes will say you must use them alongside regular toothpaste for their decay-fighting capabilities.

If you’re unsure, message us here, let us know what product you are using, and we can help.

Effective Teeth Whitening Methods

Instead of relying on quick-fix solutions that do not provide lasting results, consider adopting a more effective teeth whitening regime.

  • Regular brushing can help prevent the buildup of surface staining and plaque on your teeth.

  • Regular hygiene visits can help remove stuck-on plaque and brighten your teeth using professional tools and techniques, such as airflow polishers.

  • Avoiding colour-rich foods can prevent staining.

  • Consider professional teeth whitening with peroxide for a more permanent solution.

You can consider treatments like veneers or composite bonding for a more drastic change. However, these are more invasive procedures, and you will need to discuss this with a dentist and find out if it’s the right solution for you.

Dentists' View on Purple Toothpaste

Most dentists won't discourage you from trying purple toothpaste, but they would likely stress that you shouldn't expect any long-term benefits. The best advice is to save your money, take good care of your teeth, and if you're seeking whiter teeth, opt for a peroxide-based product administered by a dental professional.

Purple toothpaste reviews

Hismile v34 Colour Corrector

Hismile V34 Colour Corrector is a serum that masks staining and is designed to be used daily or just before going out. It’s not a toothpaste so you still need to use your normal toothpaste morning and night as well as the serum.

It uses colour theory to suggest that rubbing purple on your teeth will neutralise the yellow colour for a temporary boost.

Buy it from Amazon here (it’s cheaper than on the Hismile website).

Colgate Max White Purple Reveal

Colgate Max White Purple Reveal is proper toothpaste and uses colour theory to lift stains temporarily.

This toothpaste is much cheaper than the HiSmile serum above, but it’s designed to be used a lot more as a regular toothpaste.

Get it from Amazon.

So, does purple toothpaste work?

While purple toothpaste might jazz up your brushing routine with a splash of colour, it doesn't hold the secret to long-lasting, sparkling white teeth. Purple toothpaste may make your teeth look whiter, but only for a very short time. Focusing on proper oral hygiene and consulting your dentist for proven teeth whitening methods is a wiser approach to achieving your desired bright smile.


Zaeem Jafri

Founder of Nova

General and cosmetic dentist based in London

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