Does Purple Toothpaste Work?

Purple toothpaste is a toothpaste that's purported on social media to instantly brighten smiles. But despite the hype, the toothpaste doesn't actually bleach teeth or scrub away stains. Purple toothpaste only masks the appearance of yellow teeth.

Here's how purple toothpaste works and what dental professionals thinks of this tooth-whitening trend. 

What Is Purple Toothpaste?

Purple toothpaste is a toothpaste, serum, or foam that has a purple color. Unlike regular whitening toothpaste, purple toothpaste rarely contains mild abrasives or bleaching agents to remove stains and whiten teeth. "Purple toothpaste contains pigments that counterbalance yellow tones on teeth," David Chen, DDS, a dentist based in New York, told Health. "These pigments react with light, offering a visually whiter appearance." 

Some purple toothpaste also functions as regular toothpaste and removes plaque and bacteria from the teeth, noted Chen. However, many purple toothpaste are serums or foams that don't contain common toothpaste ingredients like fluoride. 

What Does Purple Toothpaste Do?

Purple toothpaste uses color correction to help the teeth appear whiter by coating the teeth in purple pigment. The effect is similar to using purple shampoo to reduce yellowing in white-blonde hair. "Purple toothpaste contains color-correcting pigments that are meant to counteract yellow or off-white discoloration," said Chen. "The purple coloration is designed to neutralize yellow stains, enhancing the natural whiteness of the teeth." 

Purple can counteract yellow because they are complementary colors—meaning they are on the opposite end of the color wheel. As part of color theory, mixing these complementary colors can create white.

"People see instant results because the purple hue turns the yellow hue of your teeth white," Jason Cellars, DDS, a dentist at Sea Cliff Dental in California, told Health. "Unfortunately, this illusion is short-lived, and your teeth will only appear whiter until the toothpaste fully washes off."

Does Purple Toothpaste Work?

"It can be a quick fix for an instant photo but will not achieve sustainable whitening," said Cellars. Purple toothpaste doesn't actually whiten yellow teeth or reduce tooth stains. It only gives the illusion of white teeth using color theory. "Its whitening effect is mainly superficial, targeting the appearance of teeth rather than deeply cleaning or bleaching them," said Chen.

To whiten teeth, products must remove surface stains on the enamel (extrinsic) and bleach stains inside the tooth (intrinsic). Whitening agents like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide can penetrate deep into the teeth to brighten their appearance. Purple toothpaste can't bleach and whiten the teeth without these ingredients.  

The whitening effects of purple toothpaste are also temporary. "It works on the surface and does not change the intrinsic color of the teeth," said Chen. "Regular use may maintain the appearance, but it's not a permanent solution to discoloration."

Is Purple Toothpaste Safe?

The American Dental Association (ADA) has not approved any purple toothpaste for safety and effectiveness. However, if you follow the instructions, Chen notes that most purple toothpaste should be safe. Like other whitening toothpaste, it is possible to experience side effects like gum irritation and tooth sensitivity—especially if you overuse it or already have dental issues. 

Because purple toothpaste gets its color from food dye, your tongue or lips may also temporarily turn purple or blue. People with food dye allergies are also at risk of allergic reactions to purple toothpaste, said Cellars. Purple toothpaste typically contains artificial dyes like Blue 1 and Red 40 or Red 33, which are all linked to allergic reactions. Allergic reactions to food dye are unusual, and allergy symptoms usually affect the skin—think swelling, hives, or eczema flare-ups. Discontinue use and talk to your dentist if you experience any reactions after using purple toothpaste.

Some dentists are also concerned that quick-fix products like purple toothpaste undermine oral hygiene habits. "While such products might provide temporary aesthetic benefits, long-term dental health and appearance are best achieved through regular professional dental care and hygiene practices," said Chen. According to the ADA, the best way to keep your smile bright and healthy is by brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and having regular dental visits. 

Other Ways to Whiten Teeth

If you want longer-lasting whitening results that tackle surface stains or tooth discoloration, consider these over-the-counter (OTC) and professional whitening treatments:  

• Whitening toothpaste: These kinds of toothpaste remove surface stains using mild abrasives. Whitening toothpaste may also contain hydrogen or carbamide peroxide to bleach teeth and fade stains. 
• Paint-on whitening gel (whitening pens): OTC hydrogen or carbamide peroxide gels adhere to the teeth to start bleaching. Paint-on-gel is often used as needed or for about a week.
• Whitening gel trays: These OTC tooth trays contain varying percentages of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide gel. The trays are kept on the teeth for an extended time and repeated for up to 10 days. 
• Whitening strips: OTC strips containing 5-14% hydrogen peroxide are placed on the teeth for about 30 minutes, bleaching internal and external tooth stains. Research shows whitening strips are the most effective OTC tooth whitening method. This method is often used daily for about 14 days.
• At-home professional whitening trays: These dentist-provided custom trays contain higher percentages of carbamide peroxide to whiten teeth. Depending on the desired effect, at-home trays are designed to be worn daily for a few hours and repeatedly used for up to a month.  
• In-office dentist tooth whitening: A dentist applies high peroxide concentrations to bleach the surface and deep staining. This is often combined with light-activated bleaching systems, which help accelerate and enhance the bleaching process.
• In-office enamel microabrasion/rubber-cup prophylaxis: For surface tooth stains, a dentist may apply abrasive gel to remove thin layers of enamel to remove stains. Rubber-cup prophylaxis uses a rubber rotary cup attachment to scrub away plaque, stains, and tartar from the surface of the teeth. 
  

A Quick Review

Despite claims, purple toothpaste doesn't whiten teeth or remove stains. Purple toothpaste uses color theory to neutralize yellow teeth by applying purple dye to the teeth, giving the illusion of a whiter smile. This effect is temporary and won't whiten teeth over time. Most purple toothpaste is not true toothpaste, either, so make sure you're still brushing your teeth with proper toothpaste to help prevent cavities.

If you desire a brighter smile with long-term results, try effective hydrogen peroxide methods like OTC whiteners, in-office bleaching procedures, and at-home whitening trays.