Dentist confirms what 'secret codes' on your toothpaste tube really mean

28 February 2024 , 10:20

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A new conspiracy theory has emerged concerning tubes of toothpaste (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A bizarre new theory claims that there are secret codes hidden on tubes of toothpaste that only the most "elite" people know about.

TikTok is no stranger to weird theories - and now people are claiming that the markings on the hard strip of flat plastic at the bottom of the toothpaste tube have a hidden meaning.

In a recent video shared on the platform, two podcasters claimed that the colour 'codes' relate to the ingredients in the toothpaste, and are warning people against tubes with red or black markings. One host said: "The people that know the code stay away from certain colours of the toothpaste. So, it's like, if you know, you know."

According to the pair, only 'elites' know that green marks mean the toothpaste is made from only natural ingredients, while blue marks mean the paste contains a mix of natural ingredients and medication. Red marks, meanwhile, apparently means it contains both natural ingredients and chemical ingredients, and black marks mean it contains only chemical ingredients.

The video has been viewed 7.3 million times - but dentists and toothpaste manufacturers have spoken out to quickly debunk the theory.

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One dentist took to TikTk to address the myth, confirming: "In reality [the colour squares] mean nothing about the ingredients of the toothpaste. It's only used at the manufacturing process where the marks and colours are read by a sensor, then the machine decides where to cut and seal the packaging."

A second stated: "In reality, Colgate and Crest, and all those people (toothpaste manufacturers) tell us that these little dots on the end are dyes and they allow them to know when the cut is going to happen so they actually make proper sized toothpaste tubes."

Toothpaste giant Colgate has even stepped in, calling it a 'hoax', adding: "As much as we love cracking secret codes, this one actually has nothing to crack because it's entirely untrue."

Just recently, Dr Khaled Kasem, a chief orthodontist at Impress, shared his top dental tips and tricks with The Mirror, and he revealed the one thing you should look for when buying toothpaste.

"You should always use fluoride toothpaste, that's really crucial," he said. "There are different types of toothpaste, but in general you want to make sure the one you're using is fluoride.

"And for children, it's important that you get a low-concentrated fluoride toothpaste, depending on the age of the patient."

The expert also said he didn't think there was any issue using whitening toothpaste frequently, despite many dentists warning people to use it just once a week as it can be quite abrasive on the teeth.

"I don't think that, I mean the concentration is really low so you can use that sort of toothpaste safely," Dr Karem said.

"What I don't recommend is to get professional whitening every month as this is removing a layer that cannot be replaced in the future."

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