The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.
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From black dental floss to pink toothpaste, we’ve seen no shortage of uniquely colored dental hygiene products that claim to work wonders for cleaning and whitening teeth. The latest to grab our interest is this purple whitening toothpaste, whose product page claims it can whiten teeth 9.6 times more than a regular toothpaste. Reviewers say it “feels like a dental visit every time I brush,” and that “from the very first use, I could feel a noticeable difference.” But is purple toothpaste a gimmick, or a real whitening hack?
To find out, we asked an expert how it all works.
Dr. Lauren Becker, a general and cosmetic dentist based in New York City, told HuffPost, “Purple toothpaste changes the appearance of your teeth’s color rather than actually whitening them. Since purple is opposite yellow on the color wheel, they create white by being complementary colors. For comparison, purple toothpaste acts similarly to color correcting makeup.” This is how reviewers are seeing pretty much instant differences in their smiles from just one use of the Himalaya Pinksalt toothpaste.
Becker cautioned against thinking of purple toothpaste as a long-term whitening solution, even if it can be a quick fix appearance-wise. “Purple toothpaste only temporarily changes the appearance of your teeth’s color,” she said. In the case of this particular toothpaste, the brand says it has 24-hour stain resistance, meaning you’d need to keep it up daily to get those neutralizing effects. “The most effective whitening technique is professional whitening at a dentist’s office, along with maintaining a good oral hygiene routine to remove stains and debris from teeth daily.”
Still, that doesn’t make this a bad toothpaste by any means. Though Becker doesn’t personally endorse this product, when asked about the most important ingredients in a toothpaste, she said, “Fluoride and stannis fluoride are optimal ingredients that help prevent cavities and keep the teeth protected from decay.” The Himalaya Pinksalt toothpaste has sodium fluoride as its main active ingredient, at a concentration of 0.243%. Reviewers vouch for its impact on their oral hygiene, with one saying, “It leaves my mouth feeling really fresh and clean, and I’m definitely buying it again.”
The formula also contains sodium hexametaphosphate, or SHMP, which is where the “salt” in the name comes in. But if you’re balking at the idea of salt in your toothpaste, you might want to think again. According to Becker, SHMP “prevents surface stains from lingering and helps remove them during brushing. It is a great ingredient for removing plaque and tartar and can help support gum health. Salt can help remove surface stains, although avoid abrasive toothpastes that could strip away enamel.”
Shoppers confirm that the toothpaste doesn’t taste salty despite its salt content (instead, it has a vanilla mint flavor), and another reviewer described it as “gentle on my mouth. Some toothpastes can be harsh or cause sensitivity, but this one cleans thoroughly without any irritation. I feel like it’s a great choice for anyone looking for a well-balanced, effective daily toothpaste.” (Other reviewers recommend only using the toothpaste once a day or every other day, alternating with their regular toothpaste, so your mileage may vary here, especially if you’re using this in conjunction with other whitening products.)
So is purple toothpaste a magic hack for whiter teeth? Not quite — you’d have to keep up with it consistently, and understand that it’s really only tricking the eye, rather than actually eliminating the stains. But if you’re on a budget and want to add an easy step to your teeth-whitening roster, this could be the one.
“If I could order this in bulk, I WOULD!” one happy shopper wrote. “My teeth feel polished, extremely clean, no weird after taste of residue purple color left in my mouth, and overall my teeth are WHITE. I drink coffee on the daily and I can tell just from the first use, that top layer of yellow staining is gone.” See more impressed reviews below, and check out the toothpaste for yourself.
“The whitening effect is amazing. As a smoker and a heavy tea drinker, it has whitened my teeth so fast. I’ve been using it every day for a week twice a day and my teeth have gotten so white. I love it! I can’t use white strips because my teeth are super sensitive. The sensitivity of this toothpaste is awesome like I have no sensitivity. It’s thick and it foams really well. I just love this toothpaste.” — Caitlyn Rose Purcell
“Purchased and made gift baskets with different beauty items in it. I was lucky enough to keep one tube for my own personal use. Noticed a different in the whiting. Good taste, product foams nicely. I was afraid since i have sensitive teeth but product worked great, and left my mouth feeling clean refreshed. No purple color left behind nor ant stains on teeth. Gift basket recipients loved this product also asking where I purchased it.” — Trigo
“I really like this toothpaste. I was a little skeptical at first, but it really did a nice job and cleaning up my yellow teeth. I have very sensitive teeth and it didn’t affect them at all.. I would definitely buy this again” — Karie928
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“this stuff really works, I’ve been using it to help lift the staining from drinking coffee and it’s not only lifting that, but whitening my teeth too! Only use it at night and in the AM use my regular toothpaste!” — Andrea
“I love this toothpaste! It really makes my mouth feel fresh, and I love the vanilla mint flavor. I drink more than two cups of coffee every day, but I don’t feel like my teeth get stained at all. In fact, they even seem brighter than before! I’m so satisfied with this toothpaste that I’ve bought it many times. This is now our family’s go-to toothpaste. Highly recommended!” — Zachary Harrison
Explore more whitening toothpastes with impressive results below, from a list curated by the HuffPost Shopping team:
A restorative toothpaste that whitens and helps with sensitivity
Made with a generous 10% nano-hydroxyapatite, a government-studied calcium-based compound for restoring and protecting teeth, this fluoride-free, mint toothpaste from Mouthology may be your next dental purchase. The magic comes from nano-hydroxyapatite, an engineered compound that mimics the natural material found in your teeth. The substance has been studied a tonand is often used in dentistry, specifically for its ability to restore enamel, fill in tiny holes, reduce sensitivity, ward off plaque, and generally strengthen teeth.
“After using it consistently, I’ve noticed a real difference in my teeth,” one reviewer wrote. “They feel noticeably stronger, look whiter, and my sensitivity has gone down significantly, especially with hot and cold foods. It’s rare to find one toothpaste that checks all three boxes.”
Promising review: “Love the subtle minty taste, the no foam formula, the whitening properties of this toothpaste and the enamel restoration which is NOT hype. I have older dental work that was becoming noticeable. A few weeks of using this toothpaste day and night is reversing the state of my caps and crowns so that they are looking newer, fresher. Teeth are smooth and whitened. Breath is fresher, gums look healthier. No more bleeding, burning, mouth sores or gum irritation. Best thing we’ve done is switching to this toothpaste for our oral health. Highly recommend!” — Auntie Mel
A two-step cleaning and whitening kit from a dependable brand
This Crest two-step cleaning kit includes one tube of deep cleansing toothpaste (step one) and a tube of whitening gel (step two), and reviewers swear it works wonders. “My teeth are sparkling and my confidence is through the roof,” one happy user says. “After just one use, I’m pretty sure I could blind a small army with how white my teeth are now.”
This two-step whitening system works in tandem to give you a brighter smile. For the first step, you brush with the 4-ounce deep-clean toothpaste tube for about a minute, then spit. Instead of rinsing your mouth with water after step one, you instead start brushing with the 2.3-ounce whitening gel for step two. Then, spit and rinse like normal. It’s fuss-free compared to having to take out Crest whitening strips, carefully place them on your teeth and wait up to 30 minutes for it to do its magic.
Promising review: “Best whitening system I have ever tried. You know how too often you buy the must-have new thing that’s “too good to be true”? This ain’t one of those times. This stuff is AMAZING. In just 3 applications my teeth are shades whiter. And they don’t hurt or anything. So glad I tried it. Seriously.”
A vintage-inspired whitening toothpaste that reviewers adore
Euthymol’s whitening toothpaste is gaining traction as one of the brand’s most iconic products, packaged in a sleek, fully recyclable aluminum tube with a retro-inspired design that reflects the brand’s more than 125-year history. The formula works as an everyday toothpaste while targeting stains from several fronts.
It contains fluoride to strengthen enamel and help protect against cavities, and sodium hexametaphosphate, which can help to prevent stain-causing particles from sticking to the enamel. The formula also includes hydrated silica, a polishing ingredient that helps lift plaque and surface discoloration as you brush. Together, these ingredients brighten teeth while delivering the ultra-fresh, just-cleaned feeling longtime fans rave about. One reviewer even described the effect as “oven cleaning for your mouth.”
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