Wellness trends come and go, and the same goes for oral health fads. Have you caught the latest buzz on social media about purple toothpaste? It’s believed that purple toothpaste can whiten your teeth. Does it really work, or is it just another trend that will fade away? Let’s dive in and find out!

So what is purple toothpaste?

Purple toothpaste is toothpaste with FDA-approved synthetic colorants to give it a bluish-purple color. It is believed to make teeth appear whiter because of color theory. Purple sits opposite yellow on the color wheel, so it should neutralize yellow tones in your teeth. This is a similar theory to that of purple shampoo, which people use to combat brassy or yellow tones in blond or gray hair.

While it may be effective in making your teeth appear brighter or whiter for a short time, it does not actually remove any stains from your teeth. Typically, you can expect results to last anywhere from a few hours to a day. This means it’s more of a quick, temporary solution for yellow-looking teeth.

Permanent teeth whitening will only occur if tooth stains are physically removed or if you use a chemical teeth bleaching product that lightens tooth color with ingredients like hydrogen peroxide. This can be done through traditional whitening methods, like professional treatments, from your dentist or over-the-counter whitening strips.

Our verdict: Purple toothpaste does not really whiten teeth, but it could be a good temporary fix for a whiter appearance. Consult your dentist to determine if purple toothpaste is a suitable short-term option or to discuss traditional whitening methods instead. Always check with your dentist before using a new oral health product. New, trendy products promising miraculous results are rarely all they are hyped up to be.