Do Color Codes on a Tube of Toothpaste Mean Anything?

Toothpaste tubes often display small color markings, and some people mistakenly think these colors reveal the product’s ingredients — for example, green meaning all-natural. This belief is incorrect; those colored marks relate to the production process, not the formulation.

Maintaining oral hygiene is important for everyone, so it’s no surprise that the oral care aisle offers a wide variety of toothpaste choices.

When picking a toothpaste, most shoppers check the components, expiration date, claimed benefits, and sometimes the flavor.

Whitening! Cavity protection! Tartar defense! Fresh breath! These are common claims printed on toothpaste packaging.

There’s also a little colored square or bar near the base of toothpaste tubes. Some people insist the hue of this mark reveals a lot about what’s inside the tube. However, like many internet myths, that assertion is wrong.

The color at the bottom of a toothpaste tube does not indicate which ingredients are present, so don’t rely on it when choosing a product.

What people say the color codes mean

A bogus consumer tip about toothpaste color codes has circulated online for years. The claim advises you to check the bottom of toothpaste tubes where a tiny colored square sits, asserting that the color — black, blue, red, or green — discloses the toothpaste’s contents:

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

Not surprisingly, this online “tip” is completely untrue.

The colored rectangle is unrelated to the product’s ingredients. It’s a mark used during manufacturing. Light sensors detect the mark, which tells machinery where to cut, fold, or seal the packaging.

These registration marks appear in various colors and are not confined to just green, blue, red, or black. Different colors are used for different packaging types or sensor systems. In short, the hues all serve the same mechanical purpose.

If you want to know what a toothpaste contains, check the ingredients list printed on the box or tube.

Common toothpaste ingredients

Most toothpastes include the following components.

• Humectant. Prevents the paste from drying out after opening. Typical examples are glycerol and sorbitol.
• A solid abrasive. Helps remove debris and polish the teeth. Common abrasives are calcium carbonate and silica.
• A binder or thickener. Keeps the mixture stable and prevents separation. Examples include carboxymethyl cellulose, carrageenans, and xanthan gum.
• A flavoring agent. Provides taste without causing cavities. Flavors include spearmint, peppermint, anise, bubblegum, or cinnamon.
• Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral recognized for  strengthening enamel and helping prevent cavities. It may be listed as sodium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, or stannous fluoride.

The colored mark at the bottom won’t tell you which of the above ingredients are present, nor whether the product is “natural” or “chemical.”

If you’re concerned about components, read the ingredient list on the packaging. When unsure, opt for a product with the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance — that seal indicates the toothpaste has been evaluated and found safe and effective for oral health.

Different types of toothpaste

Beyond the typical ingredients, some toothpastes contain special additives for specific purposes. You can also look into remineralizing toothpaste options if you want formulas aimed at restoring mineral content to enamel.

Whitening

Whitening toothpastes often include carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide to help remove stains and lighten tooth color.

Sensitivity relief

Toothpaste for sensitive teeth has desensitizing agents like potassium nitrate or strontium chloride. If hot or cold foods cause sharp pain, this kind of toothpaste may help.

Tartar and plaque control

Tartar is hardened plaque. Toothpaste promoted for tartar control may contain  ingredients such as zinc citrate or triclosan. Some reviews have found that triclosan-containing formulations can reduce plaque, gingivitis, gum bleeding, and dental decay compared with toothpastes lacking triclosan.

Natural formulations

Natural or herbal toothpastes are often marketed as excluding fluoride and sodium lauryl sulfate. They might include baking soda, aloe, activated charcoal, essential oils, and other botanical extracts. However, many of their health claims remain unproven.

Bottom line

The colored mark on the bottom of your toothpaste tube generally has no relation to the product’s ingredients, so it shouldn’t guide your selection.

When picking a toothpaste, look for an ADA Seal of Acceptance, check the expiration date, and choose a flavor you like.

If you still have questions about which toothpaste is best for you, consult your dentist.