Wild TikTok theory claims there’s a secret code on TOOTHPASTE tubes that only ‘elites’ know about – but dentists reveal what the color system REALLY means

A movement is emerging online to avoid store-bought toothpaste due to the conspiracy theory that small colored marks on the end of tubes indicate whether the product is made with natural or chemical ingredients.

The markings in question are small squares on the stiff strip of flat plastic at the bottom of the tube, and TikTok users are warning people about toothpastes with red or black spots and encouraging them to choose toothpastes with green or blue spots.

The baseless claim is that only the ‘elites’ know that green marks mean the toothpaste is made exclusively from natural ingredients, blue marks mean the paste contains a mix of natural ingredients and medicines, and red marks mean the toothpaste contains both natural and contains chemical ingredients. black spots mean it contains only chemical ingredients.

Dentists and toothpaste manufacturers insist this theory is incorrect. In reality, the markings tell light sensors in toothpaste factories where the end of the tube is located so that it can be cut and sealed properly.

Still, the theory has caused many people to reconsider popular toothpaste brands in grocery stores, focusing on certain ingredients such as fluoride and foaming agents.

Videos espousing the false conspiracy theory on TikTok have racked up hundreds of thousands of views and comments from people concerned about the color of the square on the brand they buy.

In one video, one young man explains to another: ‘The theory is that the elites, or the people who know the code, stay away from certain colors of toothpaste. So it’s like, if you know, you know.’

Dr. Nate Coughlin, an orthodontist working in Texas, said: ‘It is claimed that the red dots, the blue dots and the white dots all relate to what is actually in this toothpaste.

“When really Colgate and Crest and all these people are telling us that these little dots on the ends are dyes, and letting them know when the cut is going to happen so they can actually make the right size toothpaste tubes.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Mohammed Adel Habib Taslimi, a dentist practicing in Iraq, told his 6,000 followers: ‘The reality is that it says nothing about the ingredients in the toothpaste.’

These are just a few members of the chorus of dentists and dental practices committed to correcting the conspiracy theorists.

Silverhill Dental, located in Ontario, Canada said: ‘The color coding system for toothpaste simply does not exist. The color on the bottom of your toothpaste says absolutely nothing about the ingredients, and you should not use it when choosing a toothpaste.’

Toothpaste giant Colgate has also stepped in, calling it one ‘hoax,’ and adds: ‘As much as we love to crack secret codes, this code is actually unbreakable because it is completely false.’

The conspiracy has led many to turn to products that bill themselves as all-natural and fluoride-free.

Few ingredients have gotten as much bad press as fluoride, which is added to toothpaste to prevent tooth decay by remineralizing enamel.

Some users have called it that ‘Really bad for you’ and claim it ’causes a whole range of neurological problems’.

The amount of fluoride in toothpaste, unless someone gulps it down like whipped cream from an aerosol can, is not nearly enough to cause neurological effects.

A person weighing 160 pounds would have to swallow 33 tubes of toothpaste in one sitting to experience fluoride toxicity.

In order for a toothpaste to be accepted by the American Dental Association, the gold standard for oral health, the toothpaste must contain fluoride.

Another ingredient under the microscope is sodium lauryl sulfate. SLS is a surfactant, which means it helps create foam and bubbles to remove dirt and grime from the teeth.

While there is a lot of misinformation from “health gurus” and wellness influencers about toothpaste and videos espousing its harms, many people have had fun in the comment sections, writing “I use WD-40” and “I use blue cheese” and ” I brush my teeth with beef liver and honey.’

Some do-it-yourselfers have taken to making their own toothpaste at home, something dental experts have repeatedly advised against because it omits beneficial fluoride and often contains acidic lemon juice or excessively abrasive baking soda.

Many people have also started mixing charcoal for whitening. But the American Dental Association has found no evidence that charcoal toothpaste is effective or even safe. It can even damage your gums and teeth because it scrapes away the protective enamel.